Gaudium in Spe: The Gifts of the Cornelian Education

Book pages rustling like leaves. Short whispers tickling cheeks and ears. Wonders of timeless memories dancing in the atmosphere. Those who appreciate anthropology, history, and culture understand how easy it is to see how similar humans are. Across the world, exploring all different differences and similarities can inspire imaginations and create incredible new events.

Professor Joanne Campbell is a progenitor of many new events at Rosemont College. She is an assistant professor of sociology, head of department for sociology and criminology, and the director of the Cultural Heritage Gallery. Her long history with Rosemont coincides with the passions she shares with her students, whether they are on campus, or halfway across the world studying fascinating connections with the college.

The Foundation

Joanne began her time at Rosemont as an undergraduate student. Similar to what many have said, she fell in love with the college instantly. Her voice bright with fondness as she says, “When I first walked onto Rosemont campus, I fell in love with the architecture. Then I had a Discussion with Dr. Bizzarro. She was curious about my academic and educational pursuits and interests, and I think the pairing of the beautiful campus with a discussion with the charismatic professor won Rosemont over for me. So much so that I never left!” Dr. Bizzarro became a good friend and mentor to Joanne, and they traveled around the world, researching and collaborating to create a course that would inspire many anthropology and cultural heritage students.

The Cultural Heritage Gallery is one of the Joanne’s largest projects. An experiential learning course, Joanne worked tirelessly to build something memorable and unique. She explains, “I built the course with…Dr. Bizzarro…It was a project that started as a thesis in my undergraduate [senior year] and we collaborated with the third cofounder, Professor Brittney Nix-Crawford…It was a wonderful collaboration that we built together during the early days of Covid.” Since that time, the course has grown stronger, fulfilling the imaginations of many students exploring cultural heritage, anthropology, and sociology. Joanne continues to partner with various departments, staff, and faculty to continue enhancing the project. She mentions Dr. Bizzarro, Brittney Nix-Crawford, the current board of directors, Rennie Andrews, Chelsea Frank, Tim Jackson, Sister Peg Doyle, Christine Hagedorn, and Adam Lusk, explaining, “All of those individuals are tremendously influential in our current work that we’re doing in that course.”

The Present

Joanne also advises clubs and offers important internships for Rosemont students. She currently co-advises RoseGrow, Rosemont’s environmental coalition, with Professor Christine Hagedorn. For sociology and criminology students, Joanne helps sustain partnerships with many organizations around Rosemont, such as Montgomery County Women’s Center, Victim Services, Laurel House, and Lower Merion Police Department. With a bright, energetic voice, she explains, “I really enjoy supporting the students in mapping out their post-graduate success.” As she continues to collaborate with the professional organizations, Joanne continues to provide students with experience and knowledge, so they are prepared as much as possible for the world.

Joanne works tirelessly to ensure her classroom feels safe and exciting. “I was hoping to build [a] classroom environment that serves as a laboratory for [students’] professional lives.” She also strives to “hold space for them and help them explore. Try out different pathways…while also building different skills and tools.” She always tries to find different aspects of learning and teaching; new possibilities with her students each and every day. She says, “Each day is an opportunity to do something new…You never stop learning, you never stop going, and you never stop developing.”

The Future

The students aren’t the only ones learning; Joanne practices a humble view of education, expressing, “To release that idea of being the expert or being the ‘sage on the stage’ and to move more to an educational practice or pedagogy where I hold space for students to explore their learning pathways in a way that’s best for their needs and their growth and development.” Her overall joy in teaching is contagious for her students, and her bounding energy is inspiring to those around her. She explains, “My Cornelian Rosemont education is a joyful education and the aspects of being a life-long learner. That’s what I hope for my students.”

A constant collaborator with not just students, but faculty, staff, organizations, and many others across the world—Joanne is endlessly moving, and works to ensure students are prepared for their professions. She also strives for human connections; a way to bond everyone together, and to form respect and intrigue for the past; thus, creating a path for an exciting and supportive future.