Office Hours: The Arts of Exchange with Professor Catherine Infante

Hosts Briana Bao ’28 and Rita Xing ’28 are joined by Associate Professor of Spanish Catherine Infante to discuss her background in Arabic, English, and Spanish, interdisciplinary and multimedia teaching, insights into what unites and divides the greater Spanish-speaking world, and more.

Office Hours: Math and Wrath with Professor Ivan Contreras

Hosts Briana Bao ’28 and Rita Xing ’28 are joined by Associate Professor of Mathematics Ivan Contreras to discuss his research approach and advice for majors and non-majors alike.

People’s Places: Eden Prairie and Minnesota with Ayres Warren ’26

Host Rizwan Ayub ’27 is joined by Twin Cities area resident Ayres Warren ’26 to discuss everything from “Minnesota Nice” to being Black in a predominantly white state, especially after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

Terras Irradient: The Endowment Episode

Host Andrew Rosin ’25 discusses two ongoing endowment-related initiatives: the current calls for divestment in light of the war in Gaza, and a Massachusetts state tax on private colleges’ endowments.

People’s Places: Atlanta with Noah Turbes ’27

Host Rizwan Ayub ’27 is joined by Atlanta native Noah Turbes ’27 to discuss the architectural, cultural, and culinary differences between Atlanta and Amherst.

Office Hours: Birth Rate Policies with Professor Alex Jingwei He

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 is joined by Visiting Associate Professor of Political Science Alex Jingwei He to discuss what public policy can (and cannot) do to slow the declining birth rate in Hong Kong and East Asia.

Terras Irradient: The Faculty Hiring Process

Host Andrew Rosin ’25 breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know — but didn’t think to ask — about how new professors are hired.

People’s Places: From Beijing to Washington D.C. with Carys Shepard ’27

Introducing “People’s Places,” the podcast that answers that classic orientation icebreaker question: Where are you from? In the first episode, Carys Shepard ’27 talks culture shock from a life moving between continents.

Office Hours: Grafting Trees with Professor Matthew Westermayer

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 is joined by Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion Matthew Westermayer to discuss one of his favorite, and surprisingly profound, interests: trees.

Terras Irradient: The Catacombs Historian

Host Andrew Rosin ’25 is joined by a frequent visitor of the Frost Library Catacombs — Amherst College alumnus and historian George H. Nash ’67.

Office Hours: (Why) Were Romans So Greek? with Professor Niek Janssen

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 and classics professor Niek Janssen discuss Greek and Roman cultural exchange and the birth of Latin literature through translation.

What Keeps You Up at Night: Working on a Van with Dylan Byrne ’24

In this episode of What Keeps You Up at Night: Dylan Byrne ’24 has never traveled west of Pennsylvania. Living out of a van will change that.

Office Hours: Shared Blackness with Professor Carol Bailey

Office Hours returns for its third season with a conversation between hosts Priscilla Lee ’25 and Evelyn Chi ’25 and Professor of Black Studies Carol Bailey.

Terras Irradient: The Athletic Recruitment Debate

Host Andrew Rosin '25 explores the potential consequences — both positive and negative — of ending athletic recruitment at Amherst College.

Office Hours: Galaxies in Community with Professor de los Reyes

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 is joined by Assistant Professor of Astronomy Mia de los Reyes to discuss the behavior of galaxies, the formation of the Milky Way, and the politics of astronomy, as a whole.

What Keeps You Up at Night: Creating and Consuming with Caden Stockwell ’25

Host Chris Tun ’25 is joined by Caden Stockwell ’25 to discuss filmmaking, dreaming, and the importance of sleep.

Politics at Amherst: SCOTUS 2022-2023 Term Recap

Host Aaron Holton ’25 is joined by James Patterson Jr ’27 to discuss all of the action from the Supreme Court’s 2022-2023 term as their 2023-2024 term is just kicking off.

Office Hours: Game Poems with Jordan Magnuson (Live Show!)

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 is joined by game designer Jordan Magnuson and Evelyn Chi ’25 in this live and interactive episode of Office Hours.

Office Hours: Why AAPI? with Professor Saito

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 is joined by Visiting Assistant Professor Nazomi Nakaganeku Saito to discuss the lumping-together of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under the “AAPI” umbrella and consider how it has affected scholarship on the region.

Politics at Amherst: The Role of Policing

Host Aaron Holton ’25 sits down with Staff Writer Zane Khiry ’25 to discuss the role of policing in communities; tactics such as no knock warrants; qualified immunity; and the idea of defunding the police.

What Keeps You Up at Night: Lists and Literature with Joe Sweeney ’25

What Keeps You Up at Night returns for its second season with an in depth conversation on Russian literature and more.

What Keeps You Up At Night: Imagination with Ankit Sayed ’24

Host Chris Tun ’25 is joined by Ankit Sayed ’24 to discuss the thoughts that keep Ankit up at night.

What Keeps You Up At Night: Reality and Relationships with Liv Lynch ’25

Host Chris Tun ’25 is joined by Liv Lynch ’25 to discuss trust, relationships, and what it all means on the second episode of “What Keeps You Up at Night?”

Office Hours: Siena Shenanigans with Nora Donoghue

In this bonus episode of Office Hours, host Priscilla Lee '25 is joined by archaeologist Nora Donoghue as they discuss all the things you never knew you wanted to know about the historic Italian city of Siena.

Office Hours: Houses with Archaeologist Nora Donoghue

In the second installment of Office Hours from Rome, host Priscilla Lee ’25 is joined by archaeologist Nora Donoghue to discuss the evolution of domestic architecture.

Terras Irradient: Campus Life After Covid-19

Host Andrew Rosin ’25 is joined by three current seniors and two recent graduates to discuss how campus life now compares to before the pandemic.

What Keeps You Up At Night?: Episode 1

Chris Tun ’25 sits down with members of the Amherst community to discuss their anxieties and aspirations on The Student’s newest podcast.

Politics at Amherst: The American Judiciary

Host Aaron Holton ’25 is joined by Managing News Editor Leo Kamin ’25 to discuss the role of bias in the American judicial system and the ways in which the Supreme Court is an inherently political institution.

Office Hours: Funny Roman Families with Prof. Hannah Sorscher

On a special episode of Office Hours, host Priscilla Lee '25 speaks with Professor of Classics Hannah Sorscher all the way from Rome, Italy.

Jukebox: “Ambulance” (2022)

Miles Garcia ’25 and Tim Carroll ’25 discuss the 2022 action movie “Ambulance,” directed by Michael Bay.

Politics at Amherst: Prison Abolition

Host Aaron Holton ’25 is joined by Aidan Orr ’24 to discuss alternative forms of justice and prison abolition.

Terras Irradient: The Athlete/Non-Athlete Divide

Host Andrew Rosin ’25 interviews four student-athletes on the main barriers that student-athletes face to getting involved in campus life and extracurriculars.

Offbrand Oscars: The Grammys

Offbrand Oscars — a show for lighthearted debate about pop culture and media — is hosted by Staff Podcasters Mari Alvarez ’25 and Victoria Thomas ’25. On this episode, they cover the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

Politics at Amherst: Affirmative Action (Part 1)

"Politics at Amherst" seeks to enrich political discourse on campus by bringing underrepresented perspectives into the conversation. On this episode, host Aaron Holton ’25 is joined by Tim Carroll ’25 in the first of a two-part series on affirmative action.

Nexus: International Students Pt. 3 (Iran)

The Iran protests have dominated the media for months, but what do they mean for Iranian students at Amherst? In this episode of Nexus, host Rebecca McGeehan ’26 sits down with Reihaneh Iranmanesh ’25 to explore this question.

Office Hours: Nabokov’s Self-translations With Professor Luke Parker (Part 2/2)

Join host Priscilla Lee ’25 for the second part of her conversation with Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian Luke Parker about the life and legacy of Vladimir Nabokov.

Politics at Amherst: Episode 1

How do Amherst students engage in political discourse? In the first episode of The Student’s newest podcast, Aaron Holton ’25 discusses how political ideologies manifest on the Amherst campus with Isaiah Doble ’25.

Offbrand Oscars: Love? Love. Love!

Hosts Victoria Thomas ’25 and Maristhela Alvarez ’25, along with two special guests, discuss and judge reality TV shows about love.

Jukebox: Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

In the third episode of Jukebox, Miles Garcia ’25 and Tim Carroll ’25 discuss Disney’s 2009 comedy-fantasy film “Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.”

Office Hours: Vladimir Nabokov in Exile With Professor Luke Parker

Host Priscilla Lee ’25 and Visiting Assistant Professor Luke Parker discuss the life of Russian author Vladimir Nabokov, best known for his 1955 novel “Lolita.”

What Does the Board of Trustees Do, Anyway?

Host Andrew Rosin ’25 discusses everything related to the Amherst College Board of Trustees with the board’s chairman, Andy Nussbaum ’85, and two of the trustees, Paul Smith ’78 and Shirley Tilghman.

Terras Irradient: The Long Road to Unionization

Despite a long tradition of labor organizing, Amherst is not unionized in any capacity. Juli Keiper ’26 Sam Spratford ’24 talk to key organizers to tease out the past challenges and future plans of the college's labor movements.

Nexus: International Students Pt. 2 (Eastern Europe)

On this episode of Nexus, host Rebecca McGeehan ’26 delves into the experiences of Eastern European students on the Amherst campus.

Office Hours: DNA Folding With Professor Ashley Carter

Sit in on Office Hours with Associate Professor of Physics Ashley Carter as she breaks down the mechanics of DNA folding in simple terms.

Offbrand Oscars: Calling All the Monsters

Maristhela Alvarez ’25 and Victoria Thomas ’25 tackle Halloween-media superlatives, from costumes, to movies, to songs.

Schrett’s Takes x The Student: Eve Giancarlo ’25 and Ava Zielinski ’25

Mike Schretter ’23 chats with mid-distance runners for Amherst track Eve Giancarlo ’25 and Ava Zielinski ’25 about training, mental game, and the team’s impact on their Amherst experience.

Jukebox: “A Clockwork Orange” (1971)

In the second episode of Jukebox, Miles Garcia ’25 and Tim Carroll ’25 discuss Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film “A Clockwork Orange.”

Schrett’s Takes x The Student: Men’s Soccer Seniors

Mike Schretter ’23 chats with Bernie White ’23E, Alex Shahmirzadi ’23E, and Nico Kenary ’23E about their outlook on the Fall 2022 season.

Offbrand Oscars: “Glee”

Join Victoria Thomas ’25 and Maristhela Alvarez ’25 in this new show, as they hand down superlatives to the pieces of media that, for better or for worse, they just can’t stop talking about. In this pilot episode, the two debate the best parts of the iconic 2010s TV series “Glee.”

Nexus: International Students Pt. 1 (Ireland & the U.K.)

Nexus illuminates the intersecting, human narratives underlying our campus. Rebecca McGeehan ’26 kicks off the first episode by highlighting the international student experience, beginning close to her own home of Northern Ireland.

Office Hours: Performance and Play With Professor Christopher Grobe

Priscilla Lee ’25 hosts the pilot episode of “Office Hours,” a brand-new podcast, speaking with Associate Professor and Chair of English Christopher Grobe about play, performance, theatricality, improv, flash mobs, and more.

Terras Irradient: The Ones That Got Away

If Amherst boasts a 93 percent graduation rate, then what are the stories of the forgotten 7 percent? Through the voices of transfer students — that is, students who transferred away from Amherst — we begin to answer this question.

Jukebox: “Bolt” (2008)

On this pilot episode of our newest podcast, Miles Garcia ’25 and Tim Carroll ’25 discuss Disney’s 2008 animated film “Bolt” while spoofing the YouTuber-podcaster genre.

Schrett’s Takes x The Student: Women’s Volleyball Lizzie Papalia ’25

Mike Schretter ’23 sits down with Lizzie Papalia ’25 of the women’s volleyball team to reflect on the value of leadership and the lessons learned from their recent NYU tournament.

Schrett’s Takes x The Student: DIII NIL Ambassador Jack Betts ’24E

Mike Schretter ’23 talks with Amherst Wide Receiver Jack Betts ’24E about his success in making 35 NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals within the past year. Betts is working to expose more DIII athletes to the NIL business and, of course, preparing for his final season with Amherst.

Terras Irradient: Community, Prestige, and the Problem of Public Service

What exactly does a career in public service entail? How and why do Amherst grads fail or succeed in entering the field? All these questions, and more, on this semester opener.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

In 1821, Amherst College was founded with the mission to educate “indigent [poor] young men of piety and talents for the Christian ministry.” In the past 200 years, how has this mission been delivered, and how has it evolved? Managing news editors Caelen McQuilkin and Sonia Chajet-Wides pose us this question, and, in a two-part investigative series entitled “Accessing Amherst,” they deliver us an answer. It's a worthy achievement that Amherst is the second-most-diverse LAC in the nation, accordi

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, May 4, 2022

This week, we talk about the most recent development in a 50-year movement to establish an Asian Pacific American Studies department on campus, and what a recent wage increase reveals about labor dynamics at the college. Audio engineering by Sebastian Son '22.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, April 27, 2022

On today's special edition of "The Student Sums it Up," we recap our exit interview with President Biddy Martin to learn about the unconventional path she took to Amherst and her personal evaluations of her tenure. Produced by Sam Spratford '24. Audio engineering by Sebastian Son '22.

Terras Irradient: The Amherst to Wall Street Pipeline

In 2020, 1/5 of Amherst College graduates went on to work in the finance industry; the next-highest number of grads — only 11% — went into consulting. In other words, finance is far and away the most appealing industry to Amherst students. At a school with such diverse opportunities, and which purports itself to be a progressive institution, why does there seem to be an Amherst-to-Wall-Street pipeline? What are the real reasons why so many Amherst students flock to the world of finance? On this

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, April 20, 2022

This week, we discuss students' Ramadan experiences, an Indigenous art exhibition at the Mead, and interviews with the newly-elected AAS Executive Board. Audio Engineering by Sebastian Son '22.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Maggie and Sam talk about a new (and controversial) AAS bylaw and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). We also hear from Arts & Living about the new film, Everything Everywhere All at Once. Produced and Edited by Sam Spratford '24

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Today, we discuss the scaling-back of testing and masking policies on campus, a new affordable housing project in the Town of Amherst, and an alumnus working in the energy consulting industry. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Sebastian Son '22.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Today, Maggie and Sam talk about the college's Climate Action Plan, the fifth annual Black Arts Matter festival, "Fresh Faculty" Professor Stefan Bradley, and ACPD's decision to unmark all of their vehicles. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Spencer Michaels '24.

Schrett's Takes: Gwen Allen and Jackie Kortekaas

Mike talks to Jackie and Gwen about their off-season training this spring and how their experience as Amherst athletes has been impacted by Covid-19. Produced by Mike Schretter '23; edited by Sam Spratford '24.

Schrett's Takes: Jack Trent

On this episode, Mike sits down with Jack to reflect on his experience at nationals with Amherst Track and Field. Produced by Mike Schretter '23; edited by Sam Spratford '24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Today, we discuss two student-led initiatives to redistribute Amherst's resources more equitably among the community and Glee Club's transition to co-ed participation. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Sam Spratford '24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Today, we reflect on whether Amherst’s language assistants have been fairly compensated, Covid-19’s two-year legacy, and how the Center for Restorative Practices is helping campus to reimagine justice. Produced by Sam Spratford ’24 and Maggie McNamara ’23; edited by Spencer Michaels ’24 and Sam Spratford ’24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Today, we review LitFest 2022, a new student publication spurring debate about free speech, and how the war in Ukraine is personally affecting Amherst students. Produced by Sam Spratford '24; edited by Spencer Michaels '24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, February 16, 2022

This week, we discuss student dancers' latest grievance with the administration, reparations activism in the Town of Amherst, and a significant change in UMASS Amherst's reproductive health services. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Nicole Richards '23.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

This week, we talk about the Instagram account @amherstshareyourstory, some developments in Amherst's presidential search process, and recent student housing errors.

The Student Sums it Up: Thursday, December 9, 2021

This week, we talk about Val's changemaker pastry chef Carl Charette, the college's update to their climate action plan, and an AAS debate that unexpectedly reveals the state of democratic practice among students. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Sam Spratford '24. Correction: At 1:11, we mistakenly stated that Mr. Charette has been working at Amherst for five years — he has been on the Val staff for six years.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Today, we discuss the student quarantine experience and the unfolding debate over whether or not the college should maintain a remote learning option. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Spencer Michaels '24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, November 3, 2021

This week, we discuss Val-induced food anxieties, Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah's philosophical perspective on "race", and student concerns with Amherst's Bicentennial budget. Produced by Maggie McNamara '23 and Sam Spratford '24; edited by Spencer Michaels '24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Today, we discuss Amherst's updated Covid-19 protocols, the resurgence of party-related vandalism and the college's decision to end the legacy preference in admissions. Produced by Maggie McNamara '23 and Sam Spratford '24; edited by Cole Richards '23.

Tusk Talks: Counseling Center

In this episode, we sit down with Counseling Center psychologist Jordan Barnard and two panels of students to investigate recent tensions between Amherst's Counseling Center and the student body. After touching on wait times and inaccessibility, we talk about the structural and cultural changes that could be made to aid students in their mental health and wellbeing. Episode Notes: "Elevated Demand for Mental Health Services Strains Counseling Center" [https://amherststudent.com/article/elevate

Tusk Talks: Amherst Community Connections

The Town of Amherst, like most of the country, is experiencing a shortage of affordable housing. To supplement The Student's coverage of the Town's policy response, we sat down with Sophia Harrison '22 and Julia Zabinska '22 to talk about their work for Amherst Community Connections — a local resource hub for those experiencing housing instability. Harrison and Zabinska detailed the nature of their work, expressed their own visions for change and emphasized the need for institutions — including

Terras Irradient: Democratizing Justice

"Terras Irradient" is dedicated to telling the stories of Amherst's shortcomings and the unkept promises of the Amherst experience. In this debut episode, we discuss the enforcement and punishment processes of Covid-19 restrictions and other regulations placed on the student body. To shine a light on alternative judicial models, we interviewed a Reed College student. Should Amherst adopt these principles of justice to give the student body more autonomy? Hosted by Conner Glynn '24 and Karen Le

The Student Sums It Up: Wednesday, October 6, 2021

In this episode, we discuss the student experience at the Boston Women's March and the common cold that has been spreading throughout the student body. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Spencer Michaels '24.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, September 29, 2021

This week, we discuss the effect of the return of students on the local economy, Amherst’s fall break travel recommendations, and an inefficiency in paycheck distribution that sheds light on student frustration with administrative transparency. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Cole Richards '23.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, September 22, 2021

This week, we discuss the recent surge in Covid-19 cases at UMASS Amherst, student experiences with Five College courses, and a staff writer’s first installment in an investigative series about “class struggle” at the college. Produced by Maggie McNamara ‘23 and Sam Spratford ‘24; edited by Cole Richards ‘23.

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, September 15, 2021

This week, we discuss student concerns about dining accessibility, the updated COVID protocols and the role of the new Community Safety Ambassadors (CSAs) in campus security. Produced by Maggie McNamara '23 and Sam Spratford '24; edited by Cole Richards '23 EDIT: Ella Peterson did not investigate student opinions about the CSAs; the article was written by staff writer Ella Steciuk '23.

Tusk Talks - Episode 7: Sunrise Amherst

In this edition of Tusk Talks, we sit down with Claire Taylor ‘23 and Meenakshi Jani ‘23, two leaders of Sunrise Amherst — an offshoot of the broader Sunrise climate action movement.

Tusk Talks - Episode 6: Sung Kwak ’22

In this episode, we catch up with Sung Kwak ’22, the senior chair of the Asian Students Association (ASA).

Tusk Talks - Episode 5: Fall 2020: Reflections

For this episode of Tusk Talks, we sat down with eleven students to reflect on fall 2020: Amherst’s first full pandemic semester.

Tusk Talks - Episode 4: Ben Gilsdorf ’21

This week, we sat down with Ben Gilsdorf ’21 who has served as the head student organizer for AC Votes, coordinating the voting process for the Amherst community this election year.

Tusk Talks - Episode 3: Sydney Ireland ’23

This week, we sat down with Sydney Ireland ’23 who is the first woman in history to become an Eagle Scout.

Tusk Talks - Episode 2: Jeremy Thomas ’21

This week, we sat down with newly elected AAS President, Jeremy Thomas ’21.

Tusk Talks - Episode 1: David Rosa ’21

For the first episode, we interview former Interim AAS president, David Rosa.