Virginia Tech English

06/19/2026

Thank you to our faculty for your years of service! We're grateful for all you do.
⭐ 10 Years: Robert Hooper and Ashley Reed
⭐ 15 Years: Jared Gibbs
⭐ 20 Years: James Ivory and Steve Oakey
⭐ 40 Years: Alice Kinder

06/16/2026

Kristina Dabaghyan from the Collegiate Times recently interviewed Katharine Cleland, associate professor, about Shakespeare’s lasting influence on film, theater, and popular culture, showing how his work continues to shape modern storytelling centuries after it was written. By connecting Shakespeare’s themes to contemporary media and audiences, the story highlights the enduring relevance of literary study and the continued impact of the humanities in today’s world.

➡️https://www.collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles/from-stage-to-screen-shakespeare-s-everlasting-impact/article_0c6969db-9993-44b0-bef2-f767f96b6bc8.html

William Shakespeare, widely considered the most famous playwright in history, is a figure whose works we still perform, honor and teach, despite his death in 1616. Why is it that

06/10/2026

Anyone who’s taken one of Matthew Vollmer's classes probably isn’t surprised by this news.

He has received a University Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching from Virginia Tech’s Academy of Teaching Excellence, recognizing his outstanding work in the classroom and commitment to students.

Congratulations, Professor Vollmer!

06/06/2026

We thought graduation season was behind us, but we discovered a few more photos from our commencement celebration that we wanted to share.

These moments capture what makes our department special: graduates celebrating their accomplishments, faculty sharing in their students' success, and family and friends gathering to mark an important milestone. We also found a faculty group photo in regalia that serves as a wonderful reminder of the community that supports our students every step of the way.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2026. We are proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to seeing what comes next for you. Once a Hokie, always a Hokie.

06/03/2026

Please join us in congratulating our faculty members on their recent promotions and tenure achievements.

Promotion to Professor
• Katie Carmichael

Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
• Cana Itchuaqiyaq
• Tyechia Thompson

Tenure at Current Rank of Associate Professor
• Matthew Salesses

Promotion to Advanced Instructor
• Spencer Bennington
• Lily Corwin
• Tim Becker

These accomplishments represent significant milestones in academic careers and recognize outstanding contributions to teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and service. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of these dedicated colleagues and grateful for the impact they continue to make on our students, department, and university community.

05/29/2026

From language and rhetoric to poetry and speculative literature, our faculty continue to produce remarkable work that reaches readers across disciplines and communities.

At this year’s University Libraries Authors Recognition Event, six Department of English faculty members were recognized for recent publications:

📚 Katie Carmichael
📚 Julie Mengert
📚 Soham Patel
📚 Khadijah Queen
📚 Sophia Terazawa
📚 Tyechia Thompson

As you plan your summer reading list, we hope you’ll explore the books and projects created by our talented faculty authors. Congratulations to all who were recognized this year!

05/27/2026

Written by new alum Maggie Sheridan! https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu/research-stories/Vasu_Gatne.html

05/27/2026

About 1,500 people recorded themselves — and their Appalachian accents — in an effort to create a snapshot of how the region’s name is pronounced.

05/27/2026

Paula Yost ‘02 once struggled to explain to her parents what she could do with a bachelor’s degree in English…

Now, her more-than-impressive resume reads like three or four lifetimes wrapped into one: she owns and manages her own law firm, works as a licensed mental health therapist, teaches continuing Legal Education programs across the world, and even co-owns a flower farm with one of her best friends. Paula built a career by not forcing herself into any one predefined box, but by listening closely to her instincts and trusting the strengths she already had.

Post by Brooke Wager, Words & Pictures Alum

Read the story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4uMgsWn