Document Type
Interview
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Publication Date
5-13-2025
Abstract
In this engaging and heartfelt interview, Dr. Jill Goodman Gould reflects on her journey from growing up in the small university town of Corvallis, Oregon, to becoming a deeply influential professor at Santa Clara University. A University of Oregon graduate and former Fulbright Scholar, she shares powerful stories from her time teaching American literature in post-communist Poland, where she opened the minds of students who had little access to books. Returning to the U.S. brought its own form of culture shock, but she eventually found a home in SCU’s English Department, where she created and led courses for students struggling with English, as well as first-generation college students through the Bridge (now LEAD) program. Dr. Goodman’s compassion and dedication to supporting vulnerable students left a profound and lasting impact—she calls these classes her favorites, as she was inspired by her students’ passion and drive. A gifted storyteller and oral historian, she has also created powerful courses on the Holocaust that have challenged students across campus. Ultimately, Dr. Goodman has made a lasting mark on the SCU community. Dr. Jill Goodman’s brilliance, compassion, and sharp wit shines throughout this interview. Click above to hear her story.
Recommended Citation
Strelow, Sadie, "Dr. Jill Goodman Gould, Professor of English, Emerita" (2025). Living History Project: Stories that connect generations. 6.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/living_history/6
Comments
Interviewer: Sadie Strelow - Gerontology minor