Jason Eden, Wayne State College’s newest assistant professor in the History, Politics and Geography Department, is ready to bring a new perspective to history to his students and around campus.  

Eden grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where he received his undergraduate degree in history with a minor in political science. While there, he took many general education classes and found he enjoyed history a lot more than other subjects.  

“A history faculty member approached me and asked me if I have considered graduate school,” Eden said. “I said no, I hadn’t. I came from a family that only thought about a four-year degree and then you were done.”   

With the help of that history faculty member and others, Eden received a great financial aid offer from Northeastern University. With this opportunity, Eden obtained his master’s degree in history at Northeastern University in Boston. After spending two years in Boston, Eden went for his doctorate at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.  

“The rest is kind of history as you can say it,” Eden said. During his six years in Minnesota, he made his way by working as a teaching assistant and doing research. Also during this time here, Eden met his wife, Naomi.  

Eden is involved around Wayne, already participating in faculty development and innovation. He gave a campus presentation for faculty on helping students become better writers. Eden has previously helped students while going through his education by evaluating papers and sharing his ideas.  

“For now, I am picking up opportunities as they come,” Eden said.  

Outside of the classroom, Eden enjoys spending time outside by going on bike rides, hikes, walks and fishing. He enjoys spending his time writing and doing research. He and his wife wrote a book together on the history of childhood youth and old age in early North America. Together the two have written articles about that topic as well.  

Currently, the two are looking at digitized images of gravestones and how early American viewed death and dying to memorialize the deceased. Eden has written some articles of his own on history pedagogy.  

Eden is teaching a new class on U.S history from 1945-present.  

“It’s been super fun to integrate digital sources and media sources into the class like old video clips as well as sources from popular culture,” Eden said.  

 So far here, Eden appreciates the welcoming atmosphere. “The thing I love most about Wayne is my colleagues,” he said. “All of them have been so friendly and supportive making it super easy to work with.”