About

Short Bio

Maia Lee-Chin is a lover of casual conversations with the ancient world and is convinced that all translations are autobiographical. She claims she was born to be a classicist, citing her Greek goddess namesake and her lineage, which includes some of the earliest African Americans to obtain college degrees. When not writing, Maia plays video games, cooks, cleans (begrudgingly), works in urban education, and tries not to use epic poetry as a roadmap for life. She has other work featured in Eidolon and Ancient Exchanges.

Maia Lee-Chin on laptop sitting on bench

Long Bio

Maia Lee-Chin is a writer with a passion for the Iliad. Previously the Fenwick Scholar at the College of the Holy Cross, she talks about Achilles way too much.

Her upcoming debut nonfiction book, Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases, illustrated by Marta Bertello, set for publication by Andrews McMeel in 2024, is sure to captivate readers with its stunning visuals and thought-provoking insights.

As a dedicated researcher, Maia’s interests in community engagement and urban education have allowed her to approach her writing with a unique perspective. Her love for Achilles is no secret; Prof. Mary Ebbott has said, “No one I know reads the Iliad like Maia.”

Originally from New York City, Maia now calls Boston home, where she studied Classical Languages and Education at Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Awards

  1. 2021 Mable L. Millner Community Impact Award from the College of the Holy Cross
  2. 2021 Fenwick Scholar Award from the College of the Holy Cross
  3. 2021 Frank M. Snowden Jr. Fellowship from the Society for Classical Studies
  4. 2021 Faculty-Student Collaboration Grant from the Classical Association of the Midwest and South
  5. 2021 Teacher Enrichment Fund from the Classical Association of New England
  6. 2017 Bean Scholar Award from the College of the Holy Cross
  7. 2017 Thomas and Eleanor Means Travel Fund from the Classical Association of New England

Publications

Books/Contributions

  1. Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases from Andrews McMeel (Available for preorder now! Coming August 2024)

Translations/Articles

  1. Abuse of power comes as no surprise (translation of Apollo and Daphne) in Ancient Exchanges
  2. Hands Up Education Suburani Book 1 Textbook Review in NECJ
  3. Achilles’ Rage and #MineToo in Eidolon

Projects

  1. Manic Classics (in progress)
  2. Resources for Educators (in progress)
  3. Development of a yearlong course covering pedagogy, the Iliad, community-based learning, and marginalized communities alongside Professor Mary Ebbott (link)
  4. Development of four language courses in a high-school Classics program: 3 Latin courses + 1 Greek course
  5. Classics in the Classroom: Retelling the Iliad in Worcester (link)
About me: Maia Lee-Chin, 2021 Fenwick Scholar, presenting at the 2021 College of the Holy Cross Academic Conference on Worcester, the Iliad, Classics, and Education
Maia Lee-Chin presenting at the 2021 College of the Holy Cross Academic Conference

Conferences

  1. 2023 Classical Association of New England Summer Institute
  2. 2022 Classical Association of New England Summer Institute
  3. 2021 College of the Holy Cross Academic Conference
  4. 2021 Classical Association of New England Annual Meeting
  5. 2019 Classical Association of New England Annual Meeting
  6. 2019 College of the Holy Cross Academic Conference
  7. 2018 College of the Holy Cross Academic Conference