By Gwen Frost
Name: Vicki Hsueh
Position: Professor in the Department of Political Science
Education background:
M.A., Ph.D., Political Science, John Hopkins University
B.A., Philosophy and Political Science, Williams College
QUESTIONS:
- What did you want to be when you grew up (as a kid)?
An artist. I was interested in illustration. But really, any kind of artist I could imagine. Modern. conceptual representational photography, collage. I went to college and I did a lot of fine arts, but I became really interested in theory, and I thought, this is a way for me to talk about art, and yet, not have to make myself as kind of, vulnerable as artists are. It’s very economically difficult to be an artist, and you are really putting yourself out there as an artist.
- What would you sing at a karaoke night?
Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper.
- What are you reading right now/most recently? What’s it about?
I’m reading a non-fiction account of Janesville, Wisconsin. It’s where Speaker [of the House] Paul Ryan is from. It’s just a really well-done account of the political and economic crisis that is facing this country.
- Aside from necessities, what are three things you could not go a day without?
Coffee, exercise, dogs. One is a terrier mix, and one is a cocker-spaniel. who’s not that smart, but nonetheless.
- What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?
We had to move to Seattle in less than two days so my partner could get cancer treatment. Crazy, I don’t know if crazy is the language i would use, but it’s definitely the most dramatic thing we’ve done.
- What advice would you have given your college-undergrad-self?
Not to be so hard on myself. I had a lot of fun in college, but I often felt guilty about it. I think when you’re younger you do many many things that kind of unsettle your boundaries, and that is often a very good thing, but it is a disorienting thing. So I think I would have reassured myself that it’s fine.
- What is your favorite restaurant-prepared breakfast dish?
Breakfast sandwich from Old Town. It has rye, scrambled eggs, cheese, you can have it with sausage or have it with ham or nothing, but it’s very good either way.