Nancy Powers ’83 has had the privilege of choosing Kenyon twice — first as a student and again more than 25 years later when she joined the faculty in 2011. A former legislative aide in the Ohio General Assembly and advocate for immigration reform and farmworkers’ rights, today she serves as associate director of the Center for the Study of American Democracy (CSAD) and teaches comparative politics as an assistant professor of political science.
Powers, who is an expert in Latin American politics, has been particularly busy during this presidential election year with her work at CSAD, where she supports public affairs programming and directs students in the associates program, who recently published a voter guide for Knox County.
After graduating from Kenyon, where she majored in political science and Spanish literature, Powers went on to receive a master’s degree and doctorate in political science from the University of Notre Dame.
Besides Gambier, where is your favorite place in the world to be?
Wherever my sons, six siblings and their families are gathered for a vacation.
Why did you come to Kenyon?
Kenyon offered me a generous scholarship that came with a unique interdisciplinary seminar. Those two things helped me make one of the best decisions of my life. Years later, I was living in Columbus and happened to see an ad for a visiting position in Latin American and comparative politics. During my interview visit, the dinner conversation centered on teaching and students. It was such a contrast with my experiences at large universities and showed me that Kenyon actually does what its brochures claim and its alumni remember. Later, I stayed at Kenyon to teach and work with the Center for the Study of American Democracy. It's a place to blossom, even at my age!
Fill in the blank: My experience at Kenyon would not be the same without ______.
The friendships.
What is your favorite Kenyon tradition?
Celebrating the seniors and meeting their families during graduation week.
What Kenyon class would you love to take — again or for the first time?
I’ve been curious about a course called “Texting: Reading Like an English Major.” I’d love to study acting or photography or something completely different from what I teach. And I’d take another course from Perry Lentz ’64, professor emeritus of English, or Linda Metzler, professor emerita of Spanish, in a heartbeat.
If there was a soundtrack to your Kenyon experience, what song would be on repeat?
I have two possible answers: First, the processional that the Scioto Brass Ensemble plays at graduation tends to get stuck in my head for days. But also, the soundtrack of my college days depended a lot on which fraternity was hosting the all-campus party — one favored Earth, Wind & Fire; another, the Stones and Beatles; and another, New Wave. I hear that music today and immediately associate it with particular spaces and people.
Where do you find satisfaction outside of your work?
I love watching movies, plays or dance recitals, or cooking for friends.
What is something interesting that you have read recently?
Chandran Kukathas’ “Immigration and Freedom” and Timothy Snyder’s “On Freedom.” Both are on topics I've studied for years, yet they helped me see the issues in new ways.
What new skill would you like to learn?
I am trying to learn to play the piano. I figure I’ve got about 30 years ahead of me and hopefully that’s enough time to get past Level 2!
What is the best piece of advice that you've ever been given?
In April of my senior year of high school, my oldest brother told me that the smaller the college, the more people I would know. I took his wise advice and chose Kenyon.
The Kenyon Ten is an occasional question-and-answer feature that highlights students, faculty and staff.