She has helped students meet their goals and requirements in order to attain a higher education.

“I have no immediate plans to retire, although I can, anytime I want to,” Bower said. “I guess whenever I decide it’s time will be when I retire. I know when I do I will be spending much more time in Venezuela doing research and working on my book, which has been a long term project.”

Bower earned her undergraduate degree from Manhattanville College. After graduation, she was accepted into graduate school at Columbia University in New York City.

Bower later found out the University of Wisconsin offered an in-depth doctorate program in Latin American history, which is now her area of expertise. After graduation, she lived in Argentina and Venezuela for two years.

Bower teaches American and Latin American history courses. She has been doing research on Argentina throughout her teaching career at IU Southeast.

“The topics I study frequently in Latin American History are slavery, men and women and revolutions,” Bower said. “My favorite courses to teach are the topical 200-level courses. I always develop my courses to make them fun and interesting to teach, so I enjoy them all.”

Her areas of particular expertise are late 19th century and early 20th century Latin American history.

Every two years, Bower takes a summer trip to Argentina.

“I usually travel alone, but I have traveled to Argentina with my daughter, Vincenza Blank,” she said. “It is easier to split expenses with a roommate, which is what I usually do. This year I plan to get an apartment by myself.”

Bower said Buenos Aires is a sophisticated city and said she also enjoys the province of Catamarca, Argentina.

“The whole of Argentina is divided into provinces,” she said. “I think the most beautiful province is Catamarca. It is just gorgeous.”

“Everywhere you look is surrounded by mountains. It is really special to wake up and go outside to see such a beautiful place,” she said.

Bower said she is most fond of the beginning of her career at IU Southeast.

“The most memorable time at IUS for me would have to be when I first began teaching,” Bower said. “It was an intimidating and exciting time. You never really come into your own as a teacher. You have to constantly adapt to new students and technology.”

Bower said, although the technology has changed so much, it has had a positive role in teaching.

“It makes the learning process so much more engaging with all the different ways a student can process information, instead of just dealing with facts,” she said. “Teaching is always a challenge.”

By JENNIFER FELL
Staff Writer
jfell@umail.iu.edu