Dr. Nicholas Trajano Molnar is an Assistant Professor of History at the Community College of Philadelphia. Previously, he served as Assistant Director of the Rutgers Oral History Archives. Trajano Molnar serves as the Digital Humanities Officer in the Immigration and Ethnic History Society (IEHS).
Dr. Nicholas Trajano Molnar
Department of History, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Office: NERC 250
Telephone: 215-972-6353
The “Philly Stories” Student Oral History Archive is an ongoing collaboration between faculty and students with support from the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation through the Foundation Grants Program; the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning through the Faculty Fellows Program, and the Community College of Philadelphia Innovation Fund. It is an embodiment of the College’s mission of serving Philadelphia “by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens” and “active participants in the cultural life of the city.”
One of the aims of these activities is to get our students more closely involved with our faculty and community at the early critical stages of their academic careers. Student surveys indicate there is interest in this type of work, which is promising, as these activities have the potential to allow us to provide an enjoyable way for them to practice important research, writing, listening, and analytical skills. The pedagogical tools and long-term nature of these activities has the potential to tie students closer to the College and provide them with opportunities to practice writing skills necessary to succeed beyond the institution, supporting the College’s Strategic Plan priority of “Fostering Student Success.”
How can you and your students get involved? There are many faculty and student resources available on this website to help you incorporate these activities in your classrooms. For more information, simply contact Nicholas Trajano Molnar, the coordinator of these oral history activities, at nmolnar@ccp.edu. Dr. Molnar is happy to help you incorporate these activities into your classes and provide even more personalized resources for you to more easily do so. Coordination and collaboration with Dr. Molnar will allow your students’ oral history histories to be shared with those who wish to learn about the history and people of Philadelphia.
