Amanda Corris, BA ’12

I graduated back in 2012. I was spoiled during my time at UAlbany. I became super interested in philosophy of mind, specifically in philosophy of perception and embodied cognition, and I had an absolutely wonderful advisor in Professor McClamrock, who not only supervised my honors thesis in those areas but was a huge help in preparing me to study them more seriously in grad school.

I enjoyed so many Philosophy class – seriously! Philosophy of Science Fiction with Ron was probably the most fun of all, but of course I had an awesome time in his Philosophy of Mind and 20th Century Philosophy classes too. Then there was Professor Magnus' grad seminar on natural kinds, which was excruciatingly painful at the time (I was in way over my head)- but I loved it, and I still think about it often. I also enjoy reflecting on the wild ride that was Professor Howell's 17th and 18th Century Philosophy. He would jump around, filling up the entire chalkboard with notes. Sometimes I try to emulate that in my own courses, but I can never quite match his energy!

I am now an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. If you had told me back in 2012 that I would actually go on to be a professional philosopher, I would have laughed and laughed...but here we are! I'm very grateful to have made it to this stage.

Like I said above, I was really spoiled at UAlbany. I had the support of a bunch of wonderful professors who took me seriously as a budding philosopher. If it wasn't for their confidence in me (even when I was screwing up!), I don't know if I would have had the courage to pursue professional philosophy. I wholeheartedly believe that Philosophy is the best thing one could spend their time studying – and I tell my students this all the time. It helps you to become an excellent critical thinker, a responsible member of society, and a curious human being. It also gives you plenty to talk about when you're sat next to an inquisitive stranger on an airplane.

Profile Information from February 2025.