Dr. Stephanie Welsh — Associate Professor of Psychology & Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Hello! I am the creator of this Study Abroad program. Dr. Branca, Dr. McMasters and I will be accompanying the students on their European adventure!
As a self-proclaimed nerd, I am a proud Ravenclaw with an adventurer’s spirit. I share my love of traveling with my high school sweetheart, Sean (right). I’ve lived oversees twice (Sevilla, Spain and Aberystwyth, Wales) and visited over a dozen countries on three continents, including Africa. And though I could list several European cities as my favorite places in the world, Ireland has a special place in my heart. In fact, I consider Ireland to be a “home away from home.” If you ask me about the places I’ve been, I can go on for ages; so, beware! It’s probably no surprise, then, that my favorite activity is reading young adult fantasy and adventure novels (can you tell?). This is another topic I can discuss at length, and I’m always happy to give book suggestions! My daughter’s name, Athena (the little girl), was inspired both by Rick Riordan’s books and our trip to Athens, Greece. My son’s name, Rowan (the baby) is inspired by Sarah Maas’s books and the Celtic Tree of Life (which is a Rowan tree). It is my greatest pleasure to share my passion for travel and adventure with Carson-Newman students. There is no more enriching and enlightening experience as to explore the perspectives of others through travel. Let the adventure begin!
swelsh@cn.edu
Dr. Robyn Branca — Associate Professor of Psychology
I’m Dr. Robyn Branca, and as a counseling psychologist and professor, I love to observe people all over the world. For our study abroad trip I have developed a course designed to help us understand what makes some cultures and locations healthier than others. In addition to travel, I love food, running, reading, painting and funky music.
rbranca@cn.edu
Dr. Wesley Scott McMasters — Associate Professor of English & Director of the Appalachian Cultural Center
I’m an American literature scholar and a poet, so travel holds an important place in my heart and life for many different reasons. I love to see how American writers have experienced and lived abroad – Hemingway, for example, frequented Le Deux Magots when he lived in Paris, so that café (in the picture above) was a stop for me with a group of C-N students on a trip to Paris in 2019. I love studying poetry from all around the world, especially when I’m in places that are relevant to the work – and writing poetry while I’m traveling, of course.
wmcmasters@cn.edu
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