Shannon Christen

Originally from Cleveland, Shannon Christen (she/her) holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Arts in English from Kent State University. She has experience teaching at both the high school and college levels. In the Department of English, she teaches in-person and online Africana Studies sections of College Writing and Research Writing as well as online courses such as Stories to Save the World. She also teaches online and in-person sections of Flashes 101 for the University College.  

Her primary research and specializations include rhetoric and composition, African American literature, writing, history and culture, composition studies, AI and eLearning pedagogy. 

One of the ways she provides ongoing citizenship to Kent State is by serving as a faculty hearing officer for academic cases in the Office of Student Conduct. 

Professor Christen is very passionate about teaching and learning.  Student belonging and success have always been at the forefront of her ever-evolving philosophy of education:

1. Empowering Civic Participation: Every student can master the critical thinking, research, and multimodal communication skills necessary to engage successfully as a life-long learner and active participant in our pluralistic society.
2. High-Engagement Learning Environments: Student-centered strategies and a supportive, welcoming atmosphere are essential for fostering the academic engagement and intellectual growth of every student. 
3. Respect and Human Dignity: Cultivating a space built on kindness and mutual respect ensures that every individual is valued and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
4. The Heart of Teaching: Teaching is both an art and a craft where the authentic teacher-student relationship is the foundation for all learning.