A tale as old as time

I'm pretty much out of the business nowadays, but had to share this *incredible* article by Claire Rasmussen as I prep to present at my last political science conference, naturally on current right wing politics, "heteroactivism," and IVF, in honor of Cyndi Daniels: id.erudit.org/iderudit/110...

me reading national security secrets bc i've been accidentally added to a group chat

Trump and DOGE Propel V.A. Mental Health System Into Turmoil A chaotic restructuring order threatens to degrade services for veterans of wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

I provide therapy to Veterans ranging in age from their 20s to 80s, from Vietnam vets to folks recently returning to civilian life. They live with immense challenges - mental health and otherwise - and still, so many believe they can heal. They deserve better. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/u...

Make that one as soon as possible. It is SO good and on rotation in this house

Some people have asked what I'm doing next. I'm pursuing an MSW to be a therapist. I have new, wonderful classmates and professors, and I'm finding myself as a learner. I'm excited about this new path, and my next career.

Very personally, Mark's death, my parents experiencing life-changing diagnoses, and overall exhaustion/disinterest in research propelled me towards a different career, and a different life. Happily, I also fell in love again and didn't want to be across the country anymore.

Why?: The most relevant answer is that my values and priorities have shifted, much like my life has shifted over the past 11 years. I'm not the same person I was in 2013, and the job didn't fit me anymore, as much as it was a great job and I had largely done well at it.

As I jokingly have been telling loved ones, I'm retiring after 11 years from a wonderful department, working with some of the best colleagues and friends a person could ask for.

In academia, July 1 is a big day: it's the 1st day of sabbatical, a new administrative position, and a new salary after a raise. July 1, 2024 is a big day for me: I'm no longer an associate professor at Penn State.