Ana Barraza
by Ana Barraza
Pierce philosophy teacher Mia Wood recently gained a permanent position as a full-time assistant professor this fall semester.
Wood, who has been at Pierce for four years as an adjunct instructor, has worked at several higher education institutions including Mission College, Pepperdine University and Woodbury University.
“I really lucked into coming here,” said Wood. She explained her emphasis on the word “lucked,” saying all the philosophy teachers at Pierce are just as qualified.
“She has always been a team player, even when she was an adjunct. She went above and beyond the call of duty,” said philosophy teacher Betty Odello, former chair of the philosophy/sociology department.
When asked why she chose this career she said, “Things just sort of chose to turn out this way. To work at this type of institution is important.”
Raised in the Los Angeles area, the Pepperdine alumna said she “had the luxury” of going to the private university in Malibu.
Wood shared that if she had to do it all over again, she would have taken the community college route first because “you are able to explore what it is you want to do.”
“She’s well articulated and funny, bringing a comic relief to the class. She’s engaging, which helps pass the time,” said George Glasser, one of Wood’s Philosophy 6 Logic In Practice students. Glasser, whose major is undecided, is in his second semester at Pierce.
So far, he thinks she is “awesome,” especially since the level of teaching of his previous professors was “not as impressive,” he said. “She’s already building relationships with the students. She is personable, which is a rare and fantastic trait” in a teacher.
She was inspired by her initial college philosophy professor, David Gibson. She earned her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina, where she is currently working on her dissertation to complete a Ph.D. in philosophy. “The original USC,” she proudly, but playfully calls it.
Wood is also quite proud of her family. She brought up how she likes to make reference to “the girls” without her students knowing that she is talking about her two cats, “Flannery O’ Kitty” and “Shazzy.” They eventually figure it out.
She pointed out a framed picture of “Flannery O’ Kitty” displayed on top of a bookshelf in her office. Next to it is another picture frame of her “honey” Nathan, her partner of 10 years.
While she says she has no time for hobbies, Wood likes walking and sports, including volleyball. Even though she never played formally, she would like to start playing again. She says if she weren’t teaching, without a doubt she would be writing full time.
“We are very fortunate to have her as a full-time faculty member,” said Odello. “Her enthusiasm for philosophy is very contagious.”
When asked whether he recommends Wood to other Pierce students, Glasser responded, “Good Lord, yeah.”