Kody Steffy

How does it feel to be back in the department where you trained and earned your PhD? 

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to IU SOC. I suppose it feels a bit like coming home—teaching again where I taught my very first class (back in 2009) and having an office in the hallway where I so often met with my mentors. I’ve worked in interdisciplinary units since graduating in 2016 (which certainly have their perks!), so it feels good to be squarely back at home in sociology. I also feel lucky to return to such an intellectually vibrant and collegial department. Just as I remember, there are more colloquia than I can possibly find time for. The biggest change is probably that some friendly faces are missing. I won’t mention names, because I don’t want to miss anyone, but I hope you’re all enjoying your retirements!

How does it feel to be back in the department where you trained and earned your PhD?

It was actually a very pleasant transition.  When I graduated in 2020 and took a position at Winona State University in Minnesota, the pandemic was in its early days.  I joined my previous department in the middle of the lockdown, and so it was difficult to make connections starting out.  But IU just feels like home.  I am so proud of the work that has been done here over the years, and now my students can share in that sense of connection.

Does the department feel different now?  How so?

I'm not sure that the department itself feels different, but my own perspective has certainly shifted.  My sense of purpose is now so sharply focused on the work I'm doing with my courses.  That really changes the way you relate to the world around you.

How has your life changed since you arrived?

I am in the process of adopting a Maine Coon kitten in the coming months, which is where most of my extracurricular attention has been focused.  I have big plans for clicker training and teaching them to go for walks, but we will have to see what their thoughts on those plans are.