Faculty Spotlight: Jeremiah Boydstun
Jeremiah Boydstun has been teaching in Centralia College’s Transitional Studies program since 2022. He moved from Hawaii and brings a new perspective to some of CC’s longest-running programs and classes. Though he has a background and a love for classic English literature, his favorite classes to teach are GED-prep and pre-college writing.
Tell us about your background.
I lived most of my life in Hawaii, moving here in late 2022 after being hired at Centralia College. I began my college education as a community college student, but I almost dropped out because in my late-teens and early twenties all I wanted to do was surf and earn money at my crummy retail jobs. Eventually, I pulled myself together, graduated, and transferred to the University of Hawaii at Manoa as an English major, specializing in literary studies. My areas of interest included late-19th century American and British poetry and novels, war literature, and science fiction. I did my master’s thesis on the theme of cannibalism and atavism in the works of H.G. Wells.
I've been playing competitive soccer for the last 15 years, I'm a vegetarian, I absolutely love heavy metal, and I can't live without good literature. I also love to cook and travel.
What did you do before coming to CC?
I taught literature, composition, and creative writing for 18 years at a community college in Aiea, Hawaii (on Oahu). I also served at the college's AA Liberal Arts Program Review Coordinator in which I was responsible for annually reviewing and assessing the health of the AA Liberal Arts program.
What made you want to teach?
As an undergraduate, I was planning to attend medical school, and when I was one semester away from graduating, I took an elective course in British literature. I instantly feel in love with the Romantic poets---Keats, Shelley, Wordsworth, Coleridge---and knew I had found my calling. They provided me with something for which I had unconsciously been searching for a long time: meaning and purpose. So, much to the chagrin of my parents, I changed my major from pre-med to English and decided I wanted to preach the gospel of literature and inspire others as I had been inspired by the instructor of the British literature course. She brought a fierce passion to the classroom and the material itself, and I was very moved by that.
What's your favorite class to teach and why?
I love teaching the GED prep course because learning to become a proficient and confident test-taker is about strategizing, pattern recognition and critical thinking. This is serious business, and there is a great deal at stake for my students, but we also have a lot of fun learning how to apply test taking skills. The best part is seeing the moment when students realize that they can, through the application of what they learn in class, be successful test-takers.
What's special about CC?
My experience at CC has been nothing short of amazing. The dedication and hard work of both my students and my colleagues inspires me every day, and I am grateful and proud to be a part of this wonderful academic community. Centralia College exudes positivity in a very palpable way; you can feel it as soon as you step on campus.
What’s your favorite classroom or spot on campus?
I love my office. Since I do a great deal of academic advising in my office, I've tried to create a space that is cozy and welcoming. But the best part is being in such close proximity to my Transitional Studies colleagues, whose commitment, professionalism, and kindness imbues the Phoenix Center with a cheery, warmhearted spirit.
What advice do you have for anyone hesitant about coming back to school for a GED or high school diploma?
One of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself is an education. It's the gift that keep on giving, and it's something that no one can ever take from you. Learning is an act of courage, empowerment, and fulfilment, and it sets the stage for life-long growth. Everyone owes that to themselves.