Dr. P Offers Advice to Students and Shares Personal Experience

By Martha Berkheimer News Editor

Scott Pincikowski, Ph.D. is a German professor and the study abroad coordinator here at Hood College. The students who have taken his German class know all too well what an amazing professor he is, and how much he genuinely cares about his students. What students may not know is how interesting he is outside of the classroom. Pincikowski grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, where he developed a passion for the German language during middle school. From then, his passion only grew stronger as he later got his undergraduate degree in German and international studies at the University of Wisconsin Parkside, then his masters in German at the University of Wisconsin Madison, and his Ph.D. at Penn State. Though he may seem more on the studious side, Pincikowski is a very adventurous person. What some students may not know about Pincikowski is that in his free time he enjoys playing rock music on his guitar, walking his dog, Lucas, and camping. He has even backpacked across the Grand Canyon in three and a half days. Pincikowski’s love of adventure goes as far back as college, when he went on a study abroad to Egypt. During that trip his group went out on a sail boat ride starting in Aswan. It was supposed to end in Luxor, but the captain abruptly kicked his group off the boat, telling them that if they walk down a nearby road someone would eventually pick them up. Pincikowski reflects on the experience as teaching him that “You kind of have to roll with things.” While Pincikowski’s life outside of the classroom is fascinating, he believes that being a professor has also shaped his outlook on life. “I think teaching is a transformative thing,” said Pincikowski. “Teaching has taught me, hopefully students will realize this too, that having a degree you actually realize how little you know, there’s always something to learn.” Some advice Pincikowski would give to new or struggling students would be “Kindness, of course be kind to others but also be kind to yourself.” Pincikowski emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself and he stresses that students should not compare themselves to others. While keeping that in mind, he also highlights the importance of being curious and learning to advocate for yourself. “One great thing about the Hood Community is that we encourage questions,” said Pincikowski. “Professors are here to help you succeed, don’t be anxious or afraid to approach them.”