‘Explore! Take risks!’

Cynthia Paces, W’92, is a professor at the College of New Jersey and an expert on Central Europe, particularly Prague. She was introduced to the city during a summer study abroad as a University of Richmond student.

When Amy Ogle, ’26, interviewed Paces for a profile highlighting her new history of Prague, she also asked Paces to take the Spider Questionnaire. Here’s what Paces said. 

What’s the best thing to happen to you in the last few years?
Publishing my book, Prague: The Heart of Europe.

At this point in your life, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned?
Be kind. Treat others with dignity.

What makes you optimistic?
My students! It’s always inspiring to see younger people developing interests and self-confidence.

What’s something you’ve held onto since college?
As a professor, I try to emulate the mentoring and support I received from my UR professors.

What’s something you’ve had to learn the hard way?
Self-reliance.

What’s your advice for students on campus today?
Explore! Take risks! I always think about the pottery wheel-throwing class I took at Richmond because I was truly terrible, but I had fun and gained an appreciation for artistic challenges. Also, study abroad — it changed my life when I was a student at UR.

What’s the most surprising place you’ve ever run into another Spider?
My next-door neighbor!

What does being a Spider mean to you?
I am proud at how the university has changed since I was a student. It’s more diverse, and it has a global outlook.

What’s one thing you’ve learned not to worry about?
Trying new things.

What is something about yourself or the world that you hope is different in 10 years?
I want the world to be more tolerant. I have written about the rise of nationalism and populism, and it’s scary to witness its manifestation throughout the world today.