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Faculty & Staff
 | Dr. Bryan Vescio Department Chair Professor of English bvescio@highpoint.edu 207 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9721 BA, University of Wisconsin - Madison, MA, University of Virginia, PhD, University of Virginia Research Interests: 19th and 20th century American literature, Cormac McCarthy, Philosophy and Literature, Critical Theory, Film Studies Recent Courses Taught: ENG 2200: American Apocalypse, ENG 3400: Early American Literature, ENG 4998: Senior Portfolio Bio: I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and I spent 13 years teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay before joining HPU’s English Department in 2015. Outside of books, movies, and my family, my passions are the sport of tennis, which I’ve coached at the Division I level, and of course my beloved Green Bay Packers. |
 | Dr. Laura Alexander Associate Professor of English lalexander@highpoint.edu 213 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9560 BA with Honors in English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MA, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Research Interests: Early British Literature and Culture (1600-1900); Philosophy and Literature; Women Writers; Gender Studies Recent Courses Taught: ENG 4510 "Genre Theory" (Female Gothic); ENG 4520 "Long Eighteenth-Century British Literature"; ENG 4305 "English Traditions" (Seventeenth-Century Literature); ENG 2720 "British Literature to 1800"; ENG 2200 "Early English Women Writers" and ENG 2200 Online, "Fairy Tale Traditions"; ENG 1103; ENG/WGS/GBS 3298 "Women Writing Worldwide" Bio: Laura Alexander is Associate Professor of English at High Point University, where she teaches courses on early British literature and culture, fairy tales, world literature, and women writers. She has twice held a national fellowship from the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies for research at the Folger Shakespeare Library. She has written more than thirty articles appearing in books and journals, including SEL: Studies in English Literature 1600-1900, Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Theatre Research, Papers on Language and Literature, CEA Critic, and English Studies, among others. She is the author of The Beauty of Melancholy and British Women Writers, 1670-1720, (2020); Fatal Attractions, Abjection, and the Self in Literature from the Restoration to the Romantics, (2019); Lucretian Thought in Late Stuart England: Debates about the Nature of the Soul, (2013); and Dangerous Women, Libertine Epicures, and the Rise of Sensibility, 1670-1730,(2011). |
 | Dr. Charmaine Cadeau Associate Professor of English Editor in Chief of Apogee Magazine Co-Director of the Community Writing Center ccadeau@highpoint.edu 211 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9630 BA, Trent University, BEd, Queen’s University, MA, University of New Brunswick, PhD, New York State University at Albany Research Interests: Interarts; contemporary American poetry; pedagogy of writing; Black Mountain College Recent Courses Taught: Writing Poetry; Advanced Poetry; Creative Nonfiction; Introduction to Creative Writing; Major Authors: Robert Creeley; Community Writing |
 | Dr. Matthew Carlson Associate Professor of English mcarlson@highpoint.edu 208 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9561 BA, Wheaton College, MA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Research Interests: 19th- and 20th-Century British Literature; Music and Literature; Crime Fiction; Film Studies; Adaptation Recent Courses Taught: British Literature II, Literary Scotland (Global Experience), FYS: Detective Fiction and the Quest for Knowledge, Colonialism & Postcolonialism, 19th-Century British Literature, 20th-Century British Literature, Modern Irish Literature, Critical Theory Bio: Born and raised in West Michigan, Dr. Carlson came to HPU in 2012 after completing his graduate studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. In addition to teaching courses on British literature, he mentors undergraduate research projects and serves as the department’s graduate school liaison. In his spare time, he enjoys watching classic films, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two young children. |
 | Dr. Michael Flatt Assistant Professor of English mflatt@highpoint.edu 216 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-2849 BA, State University of New York at Buffalo, MFA, University of Colorado, Boulder, PhD, State University of New York at Buffalo |
 | Dr. Nathan Hedman Assistant Professor of English and Theatre nhedman@highpoint.edu 214 Couch Phone: (336) 841-9076 BA, Seattle Pacific University, MA, St. John's College, MAR, Yale Divinity School, MA, Northwestern University, PhD, Northwestern University Research Interests: Performance and Philosophy, Secularity, Religion; Enlightenment and Romantic Theatres and Aesthetic Theory. Recent Courses Taught: History of the Cool; Global Performance; History of Western Theater Bio: Dr. Hedman serves a joint appointment in the departments of English and Theatre where he teaches courses at intersection of performance and literature. He serves as head historian and dramaturg for the Theatre department, advising on show selection, production, and college community outreach. He is a connoisseur of pie and children’s books. |
 | Jessica Higgins Instructor of English jhiggins@highpoint.edu 237-A Couch Phone: (336) 841-2866 BA, Bemidji State University, MA, Bemidji State Universit |
 | Dr. Cheryl Hillis Instructor of English cmarsh@highpoint.edu Phone: (336) 841-9592 BFA Filmmaking, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, MA, Western Carolina University, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Research Interests: 19th and 20th Century Transatlantic Poetry; Women's and Genders Studies; Aesthetics and Politics; Writing Classroom Pedagogy Recent Courses Taught: English 1103: College Writing and Public Life; English 2200: Critical Reading and Interpretation (Parallel Realities in Literature); Eng/GBS 3299: Other Americas (Caribbean Literature and Culture) Bio: In her free time, Dr. Hillis enjoys kickboxing and circuit training at her local gym, going on adventures with her family, and, whenever possible, walking for miles on the beach at low tide, searching for shells. |
 | Erica Horhn Instructor of English ehorhn@highpoint.edu 249-B Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9632 BA, Baldwin-Wallace College, MA, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
 | Dr. Cara Kozma Associate Professor of English Assistant Director of the HPU Service Learning Program Co-Director of the Community Writing Center ckozma@highpoint.edu 203 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9643 BA, Evergreen State College, MA, Portland State University, PhD, Wayne State University Research Interests: Service Learning; Composition Pedagogy; Community Publishing; Globalization Recent Courses Taught: ENG 4140: Community Writing; ENG 2121: Intro to Writing Studies; English 3920: World Literature; English 2230: Literature and Community Bio: Dr. Kozma also serves as the Assistant Director of Service Learning and the co-director of the Community Writing Center. She enjoys traveling and spends most of her time chasing after her two young sons. |
 | Dr. Virginia Leclercq Assistant Professor of English and French vpiper@highpoint.edu 201 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9785 BA, Concordia College, MA, University of Oregon, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Interests: Victorian literature and culture; Nineteenth-century British novel; Nineteenth-century French novel; Nineteenth- & twentieth-century British literature; Nineteenth-century visual culture; Literary theory and criticism; Formalism; Aesthetics; Critical theory; Gender and sexuality; Theory and history of the novel; Narrative theory; World literature; Russian literature; French language, literature, and culture; the short story. Recent courses taught: English 2200: Nineteenth-Century Short Stories, English 3500: Approaches to Britich Literature – Charles Dickens and the Novel Imagination, French 1010 and 1020: Basic Skills Acquisition I, French 2020: Intermediate French II, and France Today (Global Experience Maymester) Bio: Dr. Leclercq holds a joint appointment in the departments of English and World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, where she teaches courses on nineteenth-century British and French literature, French language and culture, and world literature. Her most recent project explores a new theory of novel form in works by Charles Dickens, Henry James, Emily Brontë, Emile Zola, and Victor Hugo. When not teaching, researching, or reading, Dr. Leclercq loves traveling and listening to jazz. |
 | Dr. Holly Middleton Associate Professor of English Director of First-Year Writing hmiddlet@highpoint.edu 206 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9456 BA, Sam Houston State University, MA, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Research Interests: Dr. Middleton is interested in how social, economic, and cultural contexts shape literary practices and how they are valued. Her research interests are the history and politics of literacy and SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) projects on academic writing. She is also a founding co-editor of the online open-access journal, Literacy in Composition Studies Recent Courses Taught: "College Writing and Public Life" (ENG 1103), "Style" (ENG 3115), "Literacy and Technology" (ENG 3114), "Imagining the Past" (ENG 2200) |
 | Dr. Lynne Murray Instructor of English lmurray@highpoint.edu 249-A Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9469 BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MEd, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
 | Dr. Timothy O'Keefe Visiting Assistant Professor of English tokeefe@highpoint.edu 214 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9591 BA, Middlebury College, MFA, Johns Hopkins University, PhD, University of Utah |
 | Dr. Jacob Paul Associate Professor of English jpaul@highpoint.edu 212 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9559 BA, SUNY Buffalo, MFA, Vermont College of Fine Arts, PhD, University of Utah Research Interests: Creative Writing: Fiction, CNF, Collaborative Ephemera, Ethics of Representation, Comparative Postmodernisms Recent Courses Taught: Experimental American Literature (4570), Advanced Techniques in Fiction (4111), Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop (3111), Intermediate Creative Nonfiction Workshop (3113), Introduction to Creative Writing (2122). |
 | Dr. Melissa Richard Instructor of English mrichard@highpoint.edu 251 Couch Phone: (336) 841-9358 BS, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, MA, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Research Interests: Victorian literature and culture; women's and gender studies; working-class studies; digital humanities; academic labor issues Recent Courses Taught: ENG/GBS/WGS 3298: Women Writing Worldwide; ENG 1103: College Writing and Public Life ("Just" Communities Online); ENG 2200: Neo-Victorian Literature Bio: Dr. Richard (pronounced ree-shard) was voted Most Friendly of her high school senior class, a title that she argues is somewhat at odds with her lifelong tendency toward "loud" introversion. Besides working with the fantastic students she encounters in her classes at HPU, she enjoys reading, dancing, photography, and coffee. |
 | Dr. Donna Scheidt Assistant Professor of English Pre-Law Advisor dscheidt@highpoint.edu 202 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9139 BA, University of Chicago, JD, Harvard Law School, PhD, University of Michigan Dr. Scheidt’s research and teaching involves language and decision making (especially judicial opinions); law and literature; and undergraduate research and library-writing program collaborations. She is a campus pre-law advisor. Research Interests: Undergraduate research and writing (relationships between research and writing, longitudinal study of), legal rhetoric (especially how legal professionals use extra-legal materials and arguments--e.g., literary, ethical) Recent Courses Taught: Advanced Study in Rhetoric/Literacy: Rhetorical History, Theory, and Criticism (ENG 4114), Print Artifacts: Literature, Law, and Narrative (ENG 4720), Style (ENG 3115), Introduction to Writing Studies (ENG 2121), Critical Reading and Interpretation: Law and Literature (ENG 2200), College Writing and Public Life (ENG 1103), First-Year Seminar: Law, Rhetoric, and Culture (FYS 1000) Bio: When not teaching, researching, or advising undergraduates on law school or independent research projects, Dr. Scheidt enjoys playing the violin with area orchestras, hiking with her spouse (science writer/editor Rob Frederick), and hanging out at the dog park with her labraheeler (Kalani). |
 | Dr. Matthew Schneider Associate Dean, David R. Hayworth College of Arts and Sciences Professor of English mschneid@highpoint.edu 251-B Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9073 BA, University of California – Berkeley, MA, University of Chicago, PhD, University of California – Los Angeles Research Interests: 19th century British literature; music and literature; popular culture and literature Recent Courses Taught: First Year Seminar: The Beatles and the English Poetic Tradition; Nineteenth-century British Literature Bio: A former chair of the English department at HPU, Dr. Schneider currently directs the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and oversees learning outcomes assessment for the university’s general education curriculum. |
 | Dr. Leah Schweitzer Associate Professor of English Director of the HPU Writing Center lschweit@highpoint.edu 215 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9106 BFA, UNC-Greensboro, MA, University of Maryland, PhD, University of Louisville Research Interests: Writing for digital environments, writing center theory, writing pedagogy Recent Courses Taught: Digital Storytelling, Advanced Techniques in Creative Non-fiction, Introduction to Creative Writing, College Writing and Public Life Bio: Dr. Schweitzer has been at High Point University since 2004. In her spare time, you can find her on the tennis courts or traveling the States and the world (and blogging about it). |
 | Dr. Kirstin Squint Associate Professor of English ksquint@highpoint.edu Phone: (336) 841-9645 BA, Eureka College, MA, Miami University, PhD, Louisiana State University Research Interests: Modern and contemporary American literature; U.S. ethnic literatures; new southern studies; ecocriticism. Dr. Squint has mentored undergraduate research projects investigating works of African American and American Indian literature. She is the author of LeAnne Howe at the Intersections of Southern and Native American Literature (LSU Press, 2018). She is also a co-editor of Swamp Souths: Literary and Cultural Ecologies, under advance contract with LSU Press, and the editor of Conversations with LeAnne Howe, under advance contract with the UP of Mississippi. In 2018, she received HPU’s Ruth Ridenhour Scholarly and Professional Achievement Award and the Excellence in Faculty Collaboration Award from HPU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. In addition to her disciplinary research endeavors, Dr. Squint is Primary Investigator of the 2018-2019 Think BIG! Grant “Role Immersion Games in the HPU Classroom: a Reacting to the Past Initiative.” Recent Courses Taught: ENG 4570: Modern and Contemporary American Literature; ENG 4400: Modern and Contemporary Authors; ENG 3910: U.S. Multi-Ethnic Literatures; ENG 2830: American Literature II |
 | Dr. Erin Trauth Assistant Professor of English etrauth@highpoint.edu 209 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9657 BS, University of North Florida, MFA, University of South Florida, PhD, Texas Tech University Research Interests: Professional Writing, Technical Writing, Public Writing; Public Health Communication; Service Learning; Composition Pedagogy; Rhetoric of Health and Medicine Recent Courses Taught: ENG 1103: College Writing and Public Life; ENG 2135: Technical Writing; ENG 2125: Introduction to Public and Professional Writing |
 | Ms. Allison Walker Instructor of English awalker@highpoint.edu 249 Couch Phone: (336) 841-9146 BA, Appalachian State University, MFA, University of Alaska Anchorage Research Interests: Interdisciplinary, narrative medicine, medical humanities, literary Darwinism, undergraduate research and creative works, service learning, scholarship of teaching and learning, digital humanities, empathy, beekeeping HPU Darwinists HPU Lifelines Recent Courses Taught: ENG 1101, 1102, 1103, 2130, 2200, 2200, 2200 OL, 2230 SL, 2888, FYS 1000 Bio: In her spare time, Allison likes to run barefoot with her husband, harvest honey from her backyard bees, play violin with her daughter, and volunteer as a vet tech for the Feral Cat Assistance Program of Guilford County. |
 | Dr. Beth Ann Way Visiting Assistant Professor of English eway@highpoint.edu 225 Phillips Hall Phone: (336) 841-9812 BA, Wake Forest University, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, MA, University of Durham (England), PhD, University of Georgia Research Interests: 18th- and 19th-century British literature and culture, British and Global Romanticism, Mary Shelley, Science and Literature, Genre Studies, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Recent Courses Taught: ENG 1103: The Danger of a Single Story, ENG 2200: Coming-of-Age Stories Bio: Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Way moved to North Carolina in 2004. She taught English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies courses at Wake Forest University and Salem College before joining HPU’s English Department in 2020. As a dyed in the wool Romanticist—especially Scottish wool—Dr. Way has traveled to the United Kingdom for research, conference presentations, and hiking in the footsteps of British Romantic writers. In her free time, Dr. Way enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, running, exploring her Scottish ancestry, and cheering on her beloved Georgia Bulldogs. |
 | Ms. Dana Yates Office Manager dyates@highpoint.edu 241 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9401 BS, High Point University |
