Q&A: Meet Professor Grace Huang
Get to Know Your Mentor
Professor of Political Science Grace Huang combines rigorous academic inquiry with a touch of humor and relatability in her teaching. Her courses invite students to explore political systems from around the world, encouraging them to think critically about democracy, governance, and their own roles as informed citizens.
What’s your favorite class to teach, and why?
I love teaching Introduction to Comparative Politics. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show students how different political systems reflect distinct values and priorities. By comparing governance across countries, students gain a fresh perspective on their own system and the larger forces shaping global politics.
What makes your teaching style unique?
I emphasize authenticity and creativity. On the first day of class, I use a metaphor of a gnarly carrot and a hothouse tomato to encourage students to embrace imperfection and be themselves. My assignments give students leeway to explore their ideas, even if the results are messy—because their work reflects their own voice and effort, which I find beautiful.
What’s an innovative course you’ve developed?
This spring, I’m teaching Politics of Working Mothers, a research seminar that’s deeply connected to my own scholarship. It’s exciting to align my teaching with my research and to guide students as they explore this timely and impactful topic.
What surprises students most about you?
Students are often surprised by my sense of humor! As an Asian-American professor, I find some students come in thinking I will be quite serious. However, I can be quite ridiculous, and the students let me get away with it. For example, I once joked that a small bone protruding from my ear was the missing seventh Infinity Stone (à la The Avengers). It’s a mix of seriousness and silliness that keeps our class environment engaging.
What’s been your proudest moment as a professor?
Publishing my book with Harvard University Asia Center was a proud moment—it showed me that high-quality research is possible even at a teaching-intensive school like St. Lawrence. But my proudest moments come from my students: seeing their growth, their commitment to their communities, and their success as leaders and changemakers.
