I attended the USC School of Philosophy from 1999 to 2005. The education and support I received were simply excellent. During my time there, I was able to take courses with most of the faculty in the department. This not only provided me with a solid foundation in many areas of philosophy, but also gave me the opportunity to work closely with a number of brilliant teachers and mentors at various stages of my graduate career. Regular departmental colloquia, typically delivered by internationally recognized philosophers, added immensely to the intellectual life of the department. The department also provided financial support for graduate students presenting work at conferences. My dissertation covered topics at the intersection of phenomenology, contemporary epistemology, and philosophy of mind, and USC proved to be an ideal place to do work which, like my own, incorporates both historical and contemporary philosophical literature and themes. My dissertation advisors—Dallas Willard, James Van Cleve, and James Higginbotham—regularly provided detailed feedback on my work and introduced me to a wide range of literature relevant to my topic. Along with several other members of the department, they also ensured that I was adequately prepared for the academic job market. Finally, Mudd Hall of Philosophy is the perfect setting for graduate study. In addition to being one of the finest pieces of architecture in Los Angeles (which is, yes, saying something), it houses the Hoose Library of Philosophy. And because Mudd Hall is, after all, in Los Angeles, there’s no shortage of things to do when, for whatever reason, one needs a break from philosophy.

Since 2005, I have been Assistant Professor at Boston University. My experience at USC amply prepared me for a career of philosophical research and teaching at a major research university. The broad education I received during my coursework at USC has proven invaluable in helping me adapt to life at a pluralistic department such as we have at BU, while the assistance I received at the dissertation stage has enabled me to sustain an active program of research.