Wofford College is staffed with some of the finest professors, but with bustling lives and demanding schedules, students often fail to really get to know them beyond the classroom.
Old Gold & Black’s first ever professor spotlight, featuring Dr. Jocelyn Franklin, aims to highlight extraordinary professors, like her, in hopes of further connecting the Wofford community.
Franklin is the assistant professor of French and Francophone studies and teaches upper-level French classes. She often focuses on engaging her students in all things French culture and works to widen her students’ global perspectives.
She is from San Francisco, California and has been at Wofford for four years. What got her to Spartanburg? Franklin’s route to Wofford may look different than most.
Franklin greatly values taking the time to seek adventure when the calling stirs within. She began her studies at New York University and completed her undergraduate at University of California at Berkeley, but with no plans after graduation, she decided to explore the US. She packed up her belongings and headed to Colorado.
“I didn’t have a career plan- which is okay folks, we all get there,” Franklin said.
She spent her time in Colorado reveling in the wonderful world around her. She used every opportunity she had to adventure, even backpacking the Pacific Crest trail with her future husband; a hike that consisted of 20 mile treks each day.
“On these hikes I had a lot of time and space to think, and that’s when I decided to go back to school,” Franklin said.
She received her masters at the University of Colorado and after some more time moving around, she also finished her Ph.D. in French and Francophone studies. After spending a year in France teaching with her Ph.D., she decided it was time to begin the job hunt.
Franklin did not touch Spartanburg soil until she was hired at Wofford. She admitted that she was hesitant at first, but she quickly came to love the location and its connection to nature.
“It’s hard to find a place where you can enjoy the beach and also go hiking in the mountains,” Franklin said.
Franklin has greatly enjoyed her first four years at Wofford. Growing up in a city, she has come to love both the college and Spartanburg for its tight-knit community.
She values the ability she has to connect deeply with her small cohort of French students, unique from her own personal experiences as a student. She was also able to strengthen her student relationships even further on her most recent interim trip to Nicaragua.
“Nicaragua was definitely top of the charts, but also coming back to campus and seeing everyone from the trip really does warm my heart,” Franklin said.
When Franklin was asked to offer a piece of advice for the Wofford student reading, she harped on the importance of widening your horizons and seeking newness in not only academia, but in the whole world.
“I just listened to a little call inside myself and trusted it. Even though it was scary, my life is richer for those experiences. Stay safe, get out there, and have some adventures,” Franklin said.
So, if future career plans seem daunting or uncertain, Franklin says not to worry. She is a testament to the joy that can be found in not always knowing where her feet will take her next.
