I have a mix of interests ranging from ancient philosophy and theology to social ontology. I started my education journey at Riverside Community College, later receiving a PhD and BA in Philosophy from UC Riverside and an MA from Westminster School of Theology. I like to tackle big questions about race, how our social identities shape us, and different conceptions of the afterlife. I've written a few papers on these topics. 

http://philpeople.org/profiles/nathan-placencia

As a history undergrad, I was drawn to philosophy when I found my favorite courses were those on the history of ideas. As a grad student, I researched social and political philosophy, and now, I primarily focus on how philosophy can guide our everyday choices. I teach with the perspective that philosophy is about being open-minded, considering different perspectives, and realizing there's always more to learn. We're all philosophers at heart, as we all consider who we want to be, what values should guide us, and what kind of society we should strive for. I'm proud to teach at Valley College, where all students can learn, grow, and work towards who they want to be.