Department of English at Illinois State University

Department of English at Illinois State University The Department of English @ ISU, offering the BA, MA/MS, and PhD degrees in English Studies.

Campus Box 4240
Normal, IL 61790

The Department of English at Illinois State University is dedicated to providing an environment that facilitates the individual and communal work—creative, intellectual, administrative, and outreach—of our faculty, staff, and students. Our vision is guided by the University mission statement, Educating Illinois, and includes the following:
•Create a work environm

ent that values all members as people and fosters positive morale and transparency where possible, acknowledges and honors the professionalism of all faculty, staff, and graduate assistants in our various roles, and recognizes the interdependence of our work through informal and formal discourse;
•Promote innovative and dynamic pedagogical research, scholarship, and practice in the classroom and the curriculum;
•Support—through reassigned time and co-teaching opportunities—interdisciplinary research and publication, while continuing to value the forms of research and publication that are appropriate to a particular field;
•Continue to articulate and revise a multi-dimensional understanding of English Studies that responds to the changing needs of our students, the field, and the world;
•Maintain our commitment to providing students with a learning environment and community that supports growth as a individual, professional, and citizen;
•Strengthen diversity in the composition of our faculty, students, and curricular and pedagogical approaches through individual, programmatic, and departmental action; and
•Secure the facilities and resources required to support excellence in scholarship, teaching, and research.

So proud of English BA grad Emily Mayer! Emily has used her research, analysis, and writing skills to earn a Master's in...
05/29/2026

So proud of English BA grad Emily Mayer! Emily has used her research, analysis, and writing skills to earn a Master's in Public Health and make a difference in our community! She noted, in an email to me, how much her English Studies classes have given her the tools necessary. Read this article about her grant-funded project with the Bloomington Fire Department, Strengthening the Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum in McLean County:

For graduate student Emily Mayer, pursuing a master's degree in public health (MPH) in the Department of Health Sciences was a journey rooted in purpose, connection, and service.

From PhD alum Dr. Sammy Moe!“Signed my 10th book contract today 🎉 excited to announce my third short story collection ha...
05/13/2026

From PhD alum Dr. Sammy Moe!

“Signed my 10th book contract today 🎉 excited to announce my third short story collection has won the Barbara DiBernard Prize and will be forthcoming from University of Nebraska’s LGBTQ+ literary series, Zero Street Fiction 💕🌈”

The hooding of PhD in English graduates, Dr. Darcy Allred, by Dr. Angela Haas, and Dr. Steven Lazaroff, by Dr. Chris Bre...
05/09/2026

The hooding of PhD in English graduates, Dr. Darcy Allred, by Dr. Angela Haas, and Dr. Steven Lazaroff, by Dr. Chris Breu!

The excitement builds! ISU commencement 2026. The processional of fun robes is always a highlight.
05/09/2026

The excitement builds! ISU commencement 2026. The processional of fun robes is always a highlight.

05/06/2026
An English Education alumnus has won a prestigious teaching award in Wisconsin! Jonathan Etter (BA, 1996) is now the Wis...
05/05/2026

An English Education alumnus has won a prestigious teaching award in Wisconsin! Jonathan Etter (BA, 1996) is now the Wisconsin 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year.

🏆 Jonathan Etter, English Teacher from Wauwatosa East High School (Wauwatosa School Districtt ) has been named a 2026-27 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year!

With 30 years of experience, Jonathan expects the very best out of his students and holds them to high academic standards by actually encouraging them to make mistakes as part of the learning process.

In order to do that, he creates a safe space within the classroom, welcoming any and all students to express themselves so they can better learn and grow. Jonathan believes what he teaches should reflect the diversity of his students because seeing their identities brings out the best in them.

Being a supportive and welcoming presence at Wauwatosa East High School is one of the many reasons he is officially a Wisconsin Teacher of the Year!

Thank you and congratulations, Jonathan!

Last night was a moving celebration of talent and dedication, with beautiful dedications to students and faculty past an...
05/01/2026

Last night was a moving celebration of talent and dedication, with beautiful dedications to students and faculty past and present. 27 scholarships and awards were given at our English Department Awards Ceremony. Thank you to Dr. Tara Lyons and Sigma Tau Delta Presidents Shafiq Islam and Ann Bingham.

Thank you to all of our participants in last night's Authoritarianism conference.
04/30/2026

Thank you to all of our participants in last night's Authoritarianism conference.

Dr. Derek Sparby wins a Dean's Research Challenge Grant! Scroll down in the article for more information.
04/27/2026

Dr. Derek Sparby wins a Dean's Research Challenge Grant! Scroll down in the article for more information.

Dr. Jan-Ulrik Dahl was one of six CAS faculty members to receive a Dean’s Research Challenge Grant this spring.

You are invited to the English Studies Association's Gilded Gala, an event showcasing the writing of students in the Dep...
04/22/2026

You are invited to the English Studies Association's Gilded Gala, an event showcasing the writing of students in the Department of English. The event will take place on Saturday, April 25th from 4:30-6:30pm at the Atrium in the Bone Student Center.

Address

Normal, IL
61790

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(309) 438-3667

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Department of English at Illinois State University posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share