One of the best parts of Amherst College is the ability to form meaningful relationships with professors who are passionate about their fields and invested in their students’ growth. TYPO/TYSO (Take Your Professor/Staff Out) is a unique program that makes this even easier, allowing students to invite a professor or staff member to a meal at a local restaurant, with the cost covered by the college.
This semester, I had the opportunity to take Dr. Frank Leon Roberts—one of my favorite professors—out to dinner at Pasta E Basta along with a few friends. I first had the honor of being in his Queer Narratives class last semester, and now I’m taking U.S Contemporary Black Writers with him. Both courses have been transformative, pushing me to think deeply about literature, identity, and resistance in ways I hadn’t before. Dr. Frank brings an incredible energy to the classroom, blending historical context with contemporary relevance, making each discussion feel urgent and necessary.
But enough about how much I love his teaching style and character. Let’s move on to the dinner and TYPO.
Our dinner at Pasta E Basta was an extension of the intellectual and personal engagement we experience in class—but in a more relaxed setting, over plates of delicious pasta. Our conversation flowed naturally, touching on our lives, class discussions, personal perspectives, and even life outside Amherst. The evening was a reminder that learning isn’t confined to the classroom; it thrives in conversation, shared meals, and the spaces where ideas are exchanged freely.
If you are considering Amherst, I highly suggest this program! For more details click this link!!