Humanities Student Applies Learning in Pittsburgh Region

In September 2021, Tatym Rasmussen moved from North Dakota to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

“I wanted to go somewhere where other people were passionate about their work,” Rasmussen said. “I was initially interested in the interdisciplinary humanities programs at CMU. I wanted to combine different disciplines like history and social psychology."

Rasmussen found it was possible to achieve these goals at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. They are pursuing a major in global studies and a minor in psychology. Their interdisciplinary work and research has centered around community engagement and helping others in the Pittsburgh region.

From the Classroom to the Garden

During the last three years, Rasmussen has explored various courses and areas of study. In doing so, they were able to crystalize their academic interests and career-oriented passions.

“It’s helpful knowing the history of different communities, how we record it and how people understand it,” Rasmussen said. “Knowing the history and context behind certain issues allows us to start different conversations and plan for what comes after.” 

In addition, Rasmussen participated in the Dietrich Community Engagement Fellowship, a two-year program that includes community development coursework, an experiential learning activity and a capstone project. 

“Sometimes as a campus, we can be in our own bubble, so I was excited to get involved and do community-facing work within the wider Pittsburgh community,” they said. “The fellowship also allows humanities students to explore what a future would look like in community engagement.”

As a Dietrich Community Engagement Fellow, Rasmussen interned with the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening surrounding neighborhoods. They worked with the green zone department, which organizes greenspace development in Garfield.

“We tried to make the greenspaces into a place of play, creativity and art,” they said. “We also focused on food access by trying to get more people involved in growing their own food, so they don’t have to spend a lot on organics in the grocery store.”

Rasmussen is currently working on their Community Engagement Fellowship Capstone that consists of a 10-minute documentary that explores how people experience garden spaces. This summer, they hope to expand on this project by including information on food access, environmental justice and growing a community outside of the workplace and home.

Finding Balance through Community

Rasmussen values the connections made with friends, faculty and the community across Pittsburgh and the CMU campus. The CMU community has offered Rasmussen a wide range of opportunities, as well as advisors and professors who helped them navigate their options.

As Rasmussen rounds out their time on campus, they have acquired the skills and experience to apply to their future endeavors.

“I’m proud of my personal development…I feel like my whole undergrad career has been finding that balance between classes, extracurriculars, friends, family, hobbies,” Rasmussen said. “It’s a never-ending road, but I finally learned more about my balance and was able to bring it into my life.”