Alexa Forrester, Interdisciplinary Studies in Philosophy, Humanities & Religion

Education: B.A. in philosophy from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, MFA in creative writing and Ph.D. in philosophy from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Experience: Three years of full-time and part-time teaching experience at Portland Community College, Portland State University and Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa.

Most interesting thing about you that students wouldn’t suspect: “I once road my bike from Atlanta, Ga to the Grand Canyon.”

Impression of SRJC/Santa Rosa: “Beautiful and friendly.” If you weren’t teaching at SRJC, you would be: “Playing with my two sons (ages 4 and 1) on a foggy NorCal beach.”

Advice for students: “I heard a Zen teacher say once, ‘You cannot achieve enlightenment by aiming for enlightenment.’ So, I offer the same advice to students (if they are listening): A’s are the byproduct of a genuine commitment to learn and improve yourself. Aim to learn as much as you possibly can from your instructors, classmates, textbooks and experiences here. Chances are, if you commit yourself to that goal, good grades will follow.”