Academic Profile Highlight: Victoria Richter

In the hallowed halls of Holy Cross College, two extraordinary individuals are making waves. On one hand, we have Ellen Perry, a features writer with a passion for Classical Art and Archaeology, and on the other, Professor Richter, a visiting assistant professor of Russian studies with an unconventional teaching style.

Ellen Perry, hailing from Washington, D.C., has a soft spot for "The Night of the Hunter", a classic film that resonates with her. Her academic focus lies in Roman Art and Architecture, as well as modern reactions to ancient art. Her doctoral dissertation delved into the world of Russian avant-garde art and poetry. Currently, her playlist is dominated by "get him back!" by Olivia Rodrigo.

Professor Richter, originally from the Soviet Union and a resident of Moscow, brings a unique perspective to the classroom. After obtaining her Master of Arts in Slavic studies from New York University and her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, she joined Holy Cross College ten years ago. She is also a part-time professor at Brown University and Worcester College.

The Benedict Fenwick Debate Society, the oldest campus organization at Holy Cross, established in 1846, has been a platform for Professor Richter's insights. The society held its first debate of the semester on February 3, 2025, with the topic being the moral duty of billionaires. The second debate, held on February 17, 2025, delved into the justifiability of heresy and presidential power.

Professor Richter's classroom is far from conventional. She adopts a maverick teaching style, going on a first-name basis with students, sharing her phone number for open questions, and maintaining a workshop-like environment where both she and her students learn collectively. The real reward for her, she says, is witnessing the "eureka effect" strike students.

In a unique twist, Professor Richter teaches a class on Russian propaganda, a topic she claims has never been taught in this way before. This class, she believes, allows her students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Meanwhile, Jacob Wu '27, a staff writer and web editor at the Holy Cross campus, keeps the college community informed about these intriguing developments. His work, along with Ellen Perry's features, ensures that the college's news and events are accessible to all.

As these two individuals continue to shape the academic landscape at Holy Cross College, their unique approaches to teaching and writing are sure to inspire and captivate those around them.