The Provost’s Office is excited to extend a warm welcome to Mitchell Maday, joining the Chemistry department in Fall 2025!
What excites you most about joining Gustavus Adolphus College?
I’m most excited about the strong sense of community and Gustavus’ dedication to the liberal arts. I was drawn to the opportunity to work closely with students in a collaborative environment, and I look forward to contributing to the college’s mission of educating the whole person.
Briefly describe your professional interests.
My professional interests are centered on both research and teaching. As an organic chemist, my research involves synthesizing new molecules to challenge the boundaries of how we understand chemistry works. I am passionate about pushing the limits of our knowledge through both theoretical and experimental collaboration.
This same spirit of curiosity and exploration drives my teaching. I see the classroom as a valuable space for mentorship where I can guide students to become independent thinkers who can propose their own ideas and discover their own scientific path.
What aspects of teaching do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part of teaching is mentorship. I find it incredibly gratifying to see students come to their own conclusions, propose their own ideas, and become more independent thinkers. A key tenet of my teaching is creating an environment where students feel empowered to explore their interests and lead the discussion.
What are you looking forward to exploring or engaging with in the Saint Peter community outside of your academic work?
I am looking forward to exploring the community. It is exciting to live in a walkable and bikeable small town where I can easily access all the local shops, parks, and trails.
If you could have any superpower (related to your field or otherwise), what would it be and why?
I would love the ability to slow down time. It would give me a chance to catch up on grading, writing, and course-prepping, and hopefully a little extra time for sleeping!