Abby Whitaker: From Sesame Street to Broad Street

PhD History, CLA '24

Abby Whitaker graduated in 2024 with a PhD in History, after receiving her BA from the University of Florida. Since successfully defending her dissertation, titled Sesame Street and the Makings of Fuzzy Liberalism, Abby accepted the role of Assistant Professor of History at Brevard College, where she teaches students to engage critically with history from unexpected sources.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What led you to choose Temple for your graduate studies?

After completing my undergraduate degree in history at the University of Florida, I began my career in television, working at the History Channel and later A&E. I learned that TV is a very corporate world, and while there were elements of the job that I loved, I wasn’t creatively fulfilled by it. It made me think, what did I really want to do? What kind of meaning did I want to get out of my work? I had been interested in teaching and I had started this research project as an undergrad about Sesame Street, and this stuck with me. I thought, maybe I need to go to grad school, and instead of working in TV, I can write about it, follow through on this Sesame Street idea, and learn how to be a teacher. I looked for mentors first, before looking at specific schools. Eventually, I found Dr. Bryant Simon, who’d written books about Starbucks, Atlantic City, and a deadly fire at a chicken-processing plant. I thought he’d be willing to take on a less conventional topic. Shortly after I emailed him, inquiring if he would take a student, he called me and he was so enthusiastic and welcoming. It was like talking to someone I already knew. I knew immediately, I really need to work with him.

What impact do you hope to make through your research and teaching?

My primary goal is to make a meaningful impact in the classroom. I'm passionate about teaching and am currently in a teaching-focused position at Brevard College, where I help students analyze and engage critically with history. On the research side, though, I aim to get people thinking about the politics inherent in everyday media, to realize that watching Bert and Ernie over the shoulder of your toddler is a way of engaging in political thinking. Through examining how these media shape public consciousness, I hope to show that there's so much to learn from history in unconventional places.

How did Temple shape your approach to teaching?

Temple's history department gave me the opportunity to start teaching early on, which was a transformative experience. Although juggling a full course load, teaching, and other responsibilities was challenging, it confirmed my passion for teaching. The students at Temple, many of whom had demanding lives outside of school, taught me to see them as whole people, not just learners in my classroom. This perspective has deeply influenced how I approach teaching now, ensuring that I create practical and meaningful learning experiences for my students.

What were some of the challenges you faced during your graduate studies?

Graduate school is demanding, and my time at Temple was no exception. Balancing a full course load, teaching responsibilities, comprehensive exams, and research was tough, and the financial strain that comes with academia added to the challenge. I had a baby during my final year, so I finished the dissertation with a two-month-old laying on me. But it taught me that if I can do that, I can figure out how to do anything.

How did you build your community at Temple?

My community at Temple was rooted in the history department. It’s really an amazing place, where I found supportive peers and mentors. I think grad students are often each other's best resource. I had a few older students who took me under their wing and always came around to see how I was doing. When I got a little further along in the program, I made sure to pass that on and try to actively support newer students. TUGSA is another layer of support that not all graduate students receive, and the 2023 strike really solidified our bonds. These experiences underscored the importance of connecting with others in and outside of my cohort, learning from those ahead of me, and supporting those coming up.

What advice would you give to someone considering graduate school?

Finding the right advisor can make or break your experience, so find someone you want to work with. Once you're in, finding your community is crucial. Connect with your cohort, but don't hesitate to reach out to those who are ahead of you in the program. If your cohort is small, as some have been in recent years at Temple, building connections across different years becomes even more important. And as you advance, take the time to welcome and support newer students—building a strong community is key to thriving in grad school.