At a university with more than 23,000 students, you can expect an innumerable amount of professors to facilitate the many classes offered. Some fade quickly to the background, while others live on long after the lectures are over. Professor Natalie Nugent, who teaches the psychology of women class, shines as both an instructor and an inspiration.
An only child from a tight-knit family, Nugent comes from Port Austin, right off the coast of Lake Huron. She attended Central Michigan University, obtaining a bachelor of science degree studying anthropology and psychology.
She is a lifelong feminist and member of the National Organization for Women; her interest in sexual violence and the havoc it wreaks on a woman’s psyche became her primary area of study while in graduate school.
“I am particularly interested in how patterns of social inequality contribute to violence against women in a myriad of ways,” she said, “and teaching the psychology of women is the perfect blend of these interests.”
Gender inequality is a subject she is particularly passionate about; saying the lack of awareness of the problem is detrimental. One aim of her class is simply to drum up awareness in hopes it will further the cause. Although society has come a long way in the past century, from paychecks to the media, women still aren’t getting the best of treatment, and Nugent is actively seeking to change that.
“Although many would like to argue that the feminist movement is dead or irrelevant at the present time,” she said, “the fact of the matter is that significant gender inequality continues to exist in a variety of ways.”
Nugent went on to obtain her master’s degree in clinical psychology here at Eastern Michigan University and is currently working toward her doctorate. On the subject of education, she noted a professor back at CMU who particularly influenced her — Athena McLean, who taught anthropology. She admired her ability to spark intellectual and creative discussions within the classroom setting, a trait that continues to inspire
her.
So what are some other things that inspire Nugent?
“Creative people, passionate people, social activism, my family, really great music and literature,” she said.
A fan of folk rock, she was quick to speak of meeting one of her favorite artists, Joshua James, at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor recently. Another favorite of hers is Joe Purdy. When it comes to sports, she’s sure to root for Michigan teams like the Lions and Pistons.
She also has a lengthy list of favorite movies, with the ones that came to mind first being “The Princess Bride,” “Stranger than Fiction,” “Lars and the Real Girl” and “How to Marry a Millionaire.”
With autumn in the air, you’ll be certain to catch her in a good mood; she loves fall, especially the colors, the weather and Saturday football games. Nugent is also an animal lover, having two dogs – a lab and a cattle dog – and a horse she calls Romeo.
She also loves to feed the squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits she finds around her home.
When asked what advice she had for her students, she replied, “I would say that passion, hard work and persistence will get you farther than raw intelligence any day … I think you have to find what you’re passionate about and really go after it.”
