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In the Spotlight: Victoria Yuskaitis ’14

Victoria Yuskaitis ’14 has spent the past decade in the United Kingdom, initially to earn her graduate degrees and later to remain as a resident. While at Lycoming, she completed a dual-major in creative writing and archaeology of the Ancient Near East with a medieval studies minor and had the opportunity to travel abroad to Israel for an archaeological excavation, an experience she credits as influential to her decision to ultimately move overseas, alongside her undergraduate training and faculty support. Victoria is currently employed as an academic skills officer (pre-entry) in the Learn with University of Southampton Transition Programme.

Why did you choose to attend Lycoming College? 

I visited campus, met some of my future professors and current students, and realized that Lycoming was a good fit. I was looking for a more personal college experience where I wouldn’t be just a number, and for an institution that embraced the humanities and had strong programs in the areas I was interested in. Finances were also a major factor in my decision, and the combination of financial aid, scholarships, and work study offered made studying here possible.

What is one of your favorite memories, classes, professors, or activities while attending Lycoming College as a student?

So many to choose from! A stand-out activity would definitely be my first trip abroad to Israel for an archaeological excavation at Tel Gezer — a challenging but also amazing experience that really opened up the possibility of international travel for me. Dr. Chandler’s and Dr. Preston’s classes were always hilarious, and I remember one class with Dr. Chandler ending in a snowball fight on campus. I fenced as a student — something totally new to me at the time — and our club had a great time getting into all kinds of shenanigans, including Nerf battles in the AC and playing manhunt in the evenings outdoors on the campus grounds.

You earned your master’s degree in medieval archaeology at the University of Sheffield and your doctorate in medieval studies at the University of Leeds, both in the United Kingdom. You continue to live and work in the U.K. How has your education at Lycoming College influenced or helped you in your advanced studies and career?

My education at Lycoming has continued to impact me throughout my postgraduate studies, as my initial training in interdisciplinary approaches encouraged me to bring a unique research perspective to my field. For instance, being a creative writer has made me a better historian and archaeologist; after all, what is history other than stories we tell about ourselves and those around us? Studying stories and how they are developed and told has shaped my understanding of historical and literary narratives. The archaeological training I received at Lycoming set the groundwork for my interest in exploring the interconnections between the archaeological, historical, and literary records in my postgraduate studies in the context of medieval anchorites and the cells they lived in. This is research I continue to publish, and I also regularly deliver public talks to local historical and archaeological societies about local anchoritic archaeology — a focus on community that Lycoming fostered.

Beyond my academic studies, my Lycoming education has given me a real sense of self-confidence and what I can achieve, and this has carried over into all aspects of my life. At Lycoming, I was encouraged to try new things and challenge myself, and this has helped me get to where I am today. Navigating the U.K. visa system while also building a successful career has not been easy, but I learned how to tenaciously pursue goals at Lycoming, part of which involves knowing the value you bring to the table and communicating that to others. I now work with students from disadvantaged backgrounds between the ages of 16-18, delivering specialized academic skills workshops — a role that clearly links back to the excellent teaching I experienced and learned from while at Lycoming, both as a student participating in classes and as a Writing Center tutor.

What are one or two of your proudest professional or personal accomplishments that occurred after graduating from Lycoming in which your education played a role?

Obtaining MA and Ph.D. degrees from Russell Group (research-intensive) universities in the U.K. is something I am incredibly proud of, and I simply wouldn’t have been able to reach these milestones without the foundation I developed at Lycoming. The reason I was able to hit the ground running at graduate school, and adapt and thrive in a new educational system, is because I had a solid background in my areas of specialty and confidence in my ability to contribute, both developed at Lycoming.

Lycoming played a major role in my decision to move to the U.K. — something I am very grateful for, as I love the life I have built here, both personally and professionally. I didn’t know anyone who had gone to graduate school when I was considering my next steps after graduating from Lycoming, and I was overwhelmed, as I had no idea where to start. My professors provided so much encouragement and guidance, and it was Dr. Chandler who suggested that I contact potential MA supervisors in the U.K. due to my interest in studying the archaeology of anchorite cells. Dr. Hugh Willmott’s response at the University of Sheffield was very enthusiastic about my research ideas, and the rest is history! If someone had told my freshman-year self that I would be moving to England right after graduation, I would have laughed. It was something I couldn’t even come close to envisioning. Taking that leap of faith and challenging myself has been so worth it, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and mentorship I received from Lycoming faculty.

In March 2024, you returned to campus to give a presentation, “Anchorites, Antiquarians, and Archives: The Archaeology of Medieval Religious Life in England,” in the College’s Humanities Research Center. Please tell us why you chose to share your research and experiences with the campus community.

I was so thrilled and honored to return to Lycoming to deliver this presentation, as I have wanted to give back to the Lycoming community for some time now. My experience at Lycoming was pivotal in shaping me into the person I am today, and I hope that sharing my research and experiences, and the role Lycoming played in getting me to where I am now, inspires and encourages current students.

I also had the chance to visit a Form and Theory: Fiction class and talk with current students, an experience which I really valued. It was thought-provoking for me to reflect on my experience and share with students the value of a creative writing degree to my life and field today. Creative writing workshops are fantastic preparation for learning how to take and share feedback, and how to effectively communicate and stand up for your ideas — useful skills in so many contexts. I know from working with my students in the U.K., and from my own experience as a student at Lycoming, that seeing your aspirations and experiences reflected in someone else is so important for framing our own successes and next steps. I also wanted to show my mentors what I have been able to achieve, in part due to their support over the last ten years. It was a full-circle moment for me, and I am so thankful for my Lycoming experience and for the role this has played in shaping my current research and career.

In the Spotlight recognizes members of our alumni community who are doing great things that have been influenced by their time at Lycoming College. Alumni Spotlight submissions are used at the discretion of the College and may be included in the monthly eNews as space and time permit. To participate, submit an Alumni Spotlight questionnaire.