Nicholas Dertinger

Nicholas Dertinger is an English literature doctoral student from Minooka, IL

Hometown: Minooka, IL

Year: Expected graduation: 2027

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I wanted to be Batman. However, having both my parents and no money growing up, the reality of being the Caped Crusader soon dissipated. After that brief dream, I wanted to be a storyteller. I fell in love with telling stories, whether written, on the silver screen or in conversation. As a Ph.D. student in English literature, I have the opportunity to study and teach the art of storytelling through various mediums, and I love it.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am an English literature student in the Ph.D. program in the English department. I chose this course of study because of my love of storytelling and teaching. I have often found the best educators can tell the best stories — stories that connect the theoretical to the practical, the ethereal to the real.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
I am currently working on Victorian Gothic literature and postcolonial research and how early feminist writers shaped and paved the way for modern storytelling. With these authors pushing the boundaries of gender and labor both in their lives and in their writing, they managed to leave a legacy that modern scholars and writers continue to pursue equity among the masses.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
The thing about research I think many people forget is that it’s self-motivated. Your interests and your passion should motivate and push your areas of research. Once I embraced the joy and wonder of what I could spend my time on while studying, it opened a new avenue to research and learning I had never experienced before.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
Part of the research I have done was related to the NIU Study Abroad program at Oxford. I spent five weeks studying at Oriel College, Oxford, and the experience of research and living in/visiting the places many Victorian Gothic stories were conceived was quite wonderful. Nothing quite compares to viewing original manuscripts and handwritten letters from authors long gone who are still inspiring researchers today. This trip absolutely was crucial to my studies and gave me the field experience to travel for research and study outside of the classroom.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
I had a friend who used to say, "If you're stoked, they'll be stoked." He taught me this mentality when I was first learning to teach. I have tried to hold on to that over the years and I think, in many ways, the professors I have had here at NIU showcase a similar mentality, though maybe not with the same words.   These professors have a passion for what they teach and research, as well as how they teach and research, which continues to inspire me as a student and researcher in the field. So, shoutout to Dr. Bennett, Dr. Clifton, Dr. Hibbett, Dr. May and Dr. Ward for not only guiding me in coursework, but for taking the time to instill insight and experience to my research goals!

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
Don't take yourself too seriously. Research is tough but remember to live life, too. The adventure begins when things don't go as planned; often the worst thing that can happen is you'll have a great story to tell after. Everyone you work with, teach with and/or study with has a story of their own, and how you treat and interact with others matters on a scale greater than anything else you do. So be kind, be encouraging and be humble enough to know when you've messed up, because you will. And those people will often become contacts for future research goals or job opportunities.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
My opportunity to study abroad in England was a pleasant surprise. I would 10/10 recommend this to anyone who has the chance to join the Oxford trip in the future who is an English major or grad student.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
Yes. As a commuter Ph.D. student, I wasn't sure how I would connect with others, but I have built great friendships with amazing people thanks to my opportunities at NIU.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am co-leading the Midwestern Conference on Literature, Language, and Media this academic year (2023-24). It is hosted by NIU's English department every spring and organized and planned for grad students of all kinds to propose and present conference papers. Last year, I presented a conference paper alongside some wonderful grad students, and I am looking to co-leading it this year with the one and only Hayley Neiling!

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you succeed? And how?
The NIU English department office staff have been the greatest champions of my success. Dawn, Jodi and Angie, you are amazing!

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
I have so many I could choose, but I think I have to give a shoutout to Dr. Ryan Hibbett. I spent the summer in Oxford with Dr. Hibbett taking a course on Shakespeare and postcolonial studies. We specifically studied Shakespeare's “The Tempest” and the role of Caliban in the play. The course was wonderful, and Dr. Hibbett's time meeting and discussing postcolonial studies through the Shakespearean lens was fantastic.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
You don't know what you don't know. By attending class, I have the regular opportunity to learn from my professors and peers. The format in which we study and discuss our work allows for a large portion of our learning to come from group dynamics and engagement, which is highly valuable to the education process.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
Einstein Bros. Bagels. I just love bagels.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Go where you feel you are going to receive the best care and return on your investment as a student.

Why is a college education important to you?
I was/am a first-generation college student. I have found that a college education is important to me because it will best set me up for the work and experiences I want to accomplish in life and for my family. This story is not everyone's story, and only you can decide if it has value to you or not.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
The power of no. It's okay to say no to things. Don't feel bad, or guilty or rude. Protect what is important — your physical and mental health — and then make the things important to you a priority. It makes the times you say yes to stuff much more enjoyable because you set boundaries to help you navigate your life.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
Play music. Drink a pint. Paint. Not necessarily in that order.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I teach first-year writing at NIU as a graduate teaching assistant. I enjoy reading and writing. I write and play music. I love spending time with my partner and our family. I enjoy cooking, playing video games, sitting in a hammock, creating art and tattoos.