A Welcome from the Chair
If you are interested in studying English, you probably love reading, or writing, or both. You have likely found pleasure in storytelling and books, in all their forms, and you might even feel like sharing and connecting with stories makes us human. The literatures of the world connect us through a common thread of compassion, empathy, and creative thought. Who wouldn’t want to be an English major?
Well, we know that nowadays the focus for many is on finding the right career that will bring us the financial stability and personal happiness with life that we seek. How does the study of literature, or the practice of creative writing, or research into how people communicate and make meaning with each other, lead us to a life that brings us happiness and a sense of fulfillment? In other words, can we get there from here?
Employers highly value the skills that English graduates have to offer their workplaces. English majors can write just about anything, and write everything well. They are flexible but deliberate in their approaches to problem-solving because they carefully read and understand the nuances of human interactions. They are open to and able to meaningfully use new technologies and ways of sharing knowledge. They know how to be collaborative and appreciate the diversity of thought that characterizes the best run organizations. They understand the myriad ways that people communicate and have an impact on their communities. They appreciate the creative process, get beautifully lost in it, and have hungry minds. Who wouldn’t want to hire an English major?
I think you will find that the faculty in the English Department at UMSL believe that writing creatively and thoughtfully, researching topics that expand the mind, and reading about worlds very different from our own are great ways to spend your time. For all of us, English is not just a career choice; it is a way of living life with a full heart, ready to make the world better and stronger. We hope to share in our classrooms our passion for our fields, our love of the written word and how it adds richness to our lives, and our excitement at getting to work with students like you, whether you are in-person or online, pursuing a BA or MA or MFA, one of our Writing Certificates, or even an English minor.
As you explore our offerings and get to know our faculty, we hope you will feel confident that your journey studying English will bring you deep satisfaction and allow you to expand your skills and broaden your mind. And we hope to learn from you and about you, because you are the most important part of our family at UMSL. Whether you are pursuing one of our writing certificates, a minor, or are just experimenting with one of our wonderful courses, we hope you will give us the chance to get to know you. The English Department welcomes you, and we can’t wait to learn about your story!
Dr. Lynn Staley
Department Chair
