Anshare Antoine

Saint Lucia

College:

College of Arts and Humanities

Degree Program:

Texts and Technology PhD

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Anshare Antoine loves humanities and has a profound interest in technology. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Grambling State University, she came to UCF for her master’s in Literary, Cultural and Textual Studies. Antoine is currently working on her PhD in Texts and Technology and expects to graduate this summer. She chose UCF for her graduate degree because of the positive experiences with faculty, saying she always felt valued and appreciated in the Department of English. She also enjoys the coursework in her program and notes how the Texts and Technology PhD program was what she was looking for when combining her two areas of interest.

When asked what she appreciates most about her program and UCF, Antoine says she loves faculty support to the students. “Many PhD programs tend to be very hands-off when it comes to student-teacher interaction outside of coursework, but in my program, faculty genuinely cares about your overall well-being and helps you to succeed in your studies,” she says.

Antoine desires to help in whatever ways she can and is determined to succeed no matter the obstacles, so she was glad to see those qualities reflected in the professors and advisors at UCF. One advisor, in particular, Dr. Mel Stanfill, significantly shaped her studies and personal life. She considers herself lucky to have received their guidance, saying she could not have asked for a better advisor.

Antoine was recognized for her hard work by receiving the 2020-2021 award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching from the College of Arts and Humanities. She feels humbled by the recognition and thankful that the time and effort she put into the success of her students does not go unnoticed. She describes how the award tells her that she is doing something right. “My students make teaching worthwhile on days when it feels like too much, and I do everything that I can to ensure that my students’ learning experience is a great one,” she says.

Her advice for other students is to be mindful of their progress and always take care of their well-being first. “After your first semester as a graduate student, readjust your personal expectations and goals in terms of how much work you can do or take on at a time, prioritize your mental health as much as you can, and ensure that you have a strong support system in and outside of your program,” she says.

As for her source of inspiration, Antoine credits her mom with making her success possible, saying that she is the kindest and most hardworking person she knows. Antoine expresses how her mother did not grow up with much, but she has accomplished so much with the little she was given and everything that she achieves now is for and because of her.

After graduating, Antoine hopes to work in the industry as an instructional designer or in an administrative role at a university.

Highlights:

• 2020-2021 award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching, Arts and Humanities Department