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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 Assistant 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 |
 | Dr. Jenn Brandt Assistant Professor of English Director of Women’s and Gender Studies Director of the Common Experience jbrandt@highpoint.edu 209/210 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9558 BA, Drew University, MA, Bowling Green State University, PhD, University of Rhode Island Research Interests: Contemporary U.S. and Transnational Literature, Cultural Studies, Body and Identity Recent Courses Taught: ENG 3298: Women Writing Worldwide, ENG 4400: Modern/Contemporary Authors, ENG 4998: Senior Portfolio |
 | Dr. William Carpenter Professor of English Director of the Honors Program wcarpent@highpoint.edu 444 Smith Library Phone: (336) 841-9339 BA College of New Jersey, MA Kansas State University, PhD University of Kansas Research Interests: Writing pedagogy, curriculum development, first-year experiences Recent Courses Taught: First-Year Seminar: College Uncovered Bio: Dr. Carpenter teaches courses in writing, learning theory, and literature. He spends his spare time running, barbecuing, and playing with his dogs. |
 | 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 Assistant Professor of English mcarlson@highpoint.edu 208 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9561 BA, Wheaton College, MA, UNC-Chapel Hill, PhD, UNC-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. |
 | Mr. Matthew Fiander Instructor of English mfiander@highpoint.edu 430 Smith Library Phone: (336) 841-9632 BA, Elon University, MFA, UNC-Greensboro Research Interests: Creative Writing, Film, Music Recent Courses Taught: American Horror and Gender, First-Year Writing, Intro to Creative Writing |
 | Dr. Matthew Garite Instructor of English mgarite@highpoint.edu 428 Smith Library Phone: (336) 841-1000 BA, Syracuse University, MA, Syracuse University, PhD, University at Buffalo (SUNY) Research Interests: Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Marxism, Science Fiction, Post-WWII American Literature, Ecology Recent Courses Taught: ENG 1103, FYS 1000, ENG 2200 Bio: Dr. Garite’s courses explore intersections between popular culture and politics, and usually feature an emphasis on film, music, and genre fiction. His most recent research focuses on contemporary countercultures and the history of utopian thought. |
 | Dr. Joseph Goeke Visiting Assistant Professor of English jgoeke0@highpoint.edu 434 Smith Library Phone: (336) 841-9633 BA, Southwest Missouri State University, MA, Southwest Missouri State University, PhD, University of South Carolina Research Interests: Nineteenth-Century American Literature; Existential Literature; Border Studies; American Humor Recent Courses Taught: FYS 1000: Time Travel in Literature and Film; ENG 2200: Existential Fictions, Fables, and Philosophies; ENG 2249: American Humor; ENG 2820: American Literature 1: Beginnings to 1865 |
 | Dr. Nathan Hedman Assistant Professor of English and Theatre nhedman@highpoint.edu 216 Norcross 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. |
 | Ms. Michele Huffman Instructor of English mjohnso4@highpoint.edu 450 Smith Library Phone: (336) 841-9591 BA, St. Mary's College of Maryland, MFA, George Mason University Research Interests: Contemporary Poetry; Service Learning; Composition Pedagogy; Gender Studies Recent Courses Taught: ENG 2200: Dystopian Literature; ENG 1103: College Writing and Public Life Bio: Relatively new to High Point University, Michele has enjoyed expanding her academic interests into the field of Service Learning, finding ways to engage students that are new, surprising, and a little challenging. When not teaching, she enjoys reading and writing poetry, interrogating pop culture through the feminist lens, and trying new recipes. She currently resides in 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. Meredith Malburne-Wade Assistant Professor of English Director, Office of Fellowships and Awards mmalburn@highpoint.edu 228 Cottrell (336) 841-9758 BA, Wellesley College, MA, Georgetown University, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
 | Dr. Cheryl Marsh Instructor of English cmarsh@highpoint.edu 450 Smith Library 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. Marsh 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. |
 | 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. Recent Courses Taught: "College Writing and Public Life" (ENG 1103), "Style" (ENG 3115), "Literacy and Technology" (ENG 3114), "Imagining the Past" (ENG 2200) |
 | Dr. Jacob Paul Assistant 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. Virginia Piper Visiting Assistant Professor of English vpiper@highpoint.edu 318-E Wilson Commerce Phone: (336) 841-9785 BA, Concordia College, MA, University of Oregon, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison |
 | Dr. Melissa Richard Instructor of English mrichard@highpoint.edu 318-B Wilson Commerce 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 121 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 214 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9645 BA, Eureka College, MA, Miami University, PhD, Louisiana State University Recent Courses Taught: ENG 4400: Modern and Contemporary Authors; ENG 3910: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States; ENG 2380: American Literature II; ENG 2239: Literature of the American South Bio: Dr. Squint teaches 20th and 21st century American literature, especially US multiethnic and Southern, and has mentored undergraduate research projects investigating works of African American and American Indian literature. She has published articles in MELUS, Mississippi Quarterly: A Journal of Southern Cultures, Studies in American Humor, Brujula, and others. She is currently completing a monograph on the works of Choctaw author, LeAnne Howe. In her free time, Dr. Squint enjoys stand up paddle boarding (SUP), sailing, walking her dogs, and spending time with her family. |
 | Dr. Karen Summers Instructor of English ksummer0@highpoint.edu 201 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9348 BA, Salem College, MA, UNC- Charlotte, PhD, UNC-Greensboro Research Interests: Medieval british literature, ecocriticism Recent Courses Taught: English 3310, English 2200, English 1103 Bio: Dr. Summers was born in Charleston, SC and lived in Tokyo for 9 years. |
 | Dr. Erin Trauth Assistant Professor of English etrauth@highpoint.edu 216 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 |
 | Ms. Allison Walker Instructor of English awalker@highpoint.edu 436 Smith Library 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. |
 | Ms. Dana Yates Office Manager dyates@highpoint.edu 241 Norcross Phone: (336) 841-9401 BS, High Point University |
