Illustration of three pregnant women by Barbara Ott The Reason Is Racism

by Katharine Whittemore

Black women are four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. In one anthropology class, students considered why.


Professor Rick Lopez with students in his kitchen Rooted

by Emily Gold Boutilier

First-year students tested their DNA in a new course inspired by the PBS series Finding Your Roots.


Amrita Basu Q&A: Professor Amrita Basu

by Katharine Whittemore

Amrita Basu, Domenic J. Paino 1955 Professor of Political Science, chair of sexuality, women’s and gender studies, discusses the midterm elections, the Kavanaugh hearings, #MeToo, and the state of women’s movements today.


William Taubman and Mikhail Gorbachev sitting together for a meal Reading Gorbachev in Moscow

by Caroline Hanna

Here’s what happens when a former Soviet leader picks up your biography of him.


Illustration by Melinda Beck Jazz Recordings

by Darryl Harper ’90

Darryl Harper ’90, Associate Professor of Music and Incoming Director of Amherst’s Center for Humanistic Inquiry, discusses his favorite jazz musicians and recordings.


Joe Flueckiger Local With a Side of Fries

by Mary Elizabeth Strunk

Amherst’s director of dining services had a big first year.


Jenine Shepherd '20 Building Her Country

by Katherine Duke ’05

An Amherst junior won Jamaica’s highest honor for young adults.


Amy Wagaman and Sheila Jaswal Partner Work

by Bill Sweet

“Two heads are not just better than one,” says a chemistry professor who consults weekly with a statistics professor. “They’re actually like three.”


John Kasish addressing the audience in Johnson Chapel at Amherst College “Lead a Big Life”

by Rachael Hanley

Does it matter what a president does? Other things matter more, said two-time presidential candidate John Kasich.