English
Bates Hall Room 213
Vanessa Diana
Biography
Dr. Vanessa Holford Diana is a Professor of English at 海角社区. Her research explores the connection between writing instruction and civic engagement as well as how American writers of color craft literary narratives that explore the ideals of a pluralist democracy. Her writing courses often immerse students in the local community for civic engagement projects, and her courses in multicultural American literature introduce students to diverse literary voices within the U.S. Dr. Diana also contributes to the Honors Program at WSU, teaching Honors courses regularly, serving on the Honors Advisory Committee, and supporting students in their Commonwealth Honors Projects.
Education
Ph.D in English, with distinction, American Literature; Arizona State University. 2000
Dissertation: Narrative Patternings of Resistance: Six American
Women Writers of Color at the Turn of the Last Century
M.A. in English summa cum laude; Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA. 1991-1993
Summer Program in Modern British Novel; Birkbeck College, University of London. 1991
B.S. in Secondary Education / English summa cum laude. 1988-1990
East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA.
Courses Taught
鈥淒iscover Westfield鈥 (WISE: First-Year Journey)
Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) in Stanley Park (WISE: Wellbeing)
English Composition (WISE: Rhetoric and Inquiry)
Indigenous American Stories (WISE: Power and Perspectives)
Black American Stories (WISE: Power and Perspectives)
Indigenous Artists Making Change (WISE: Exploring Complex Issues Anchored in the Arts and Humanities)
Publications
鈥淗ow City as Text Pedagogy can Catalyze Participatory Citizenship in First Year Students鈥 co 鈥揳uthored with Dristi Neog. Under review with College English September 2025.
鈥淪usan Power鈥 The Encyclopedia of American Fiction 1980-2020 Edited by Patrick O鈥橠onnell. Wiley Press, 2020.
鈥淎sian American Literature and the Fiction of Sui Sin Far鈥 Gale Researcher Guide Ebook, July 2018.
Review of Siobhan Senier, ed. Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England (2014). Massachusetts Historical Journal 2023.
Professional Service
- 海角社区 Foundation Scholarship Committee
- 海角社区 Foundation Fundraising Committee
- English Department Literature Committee (Chair)
- English Department Curriculum Committee
- English Department Recruiting Committee
- English Education Committee
- Honors Advisory Committee
- Submissions Reviewer, Studies in American Indian Literatures
Volunteerism
Founder and Student Volunteer Coordinator: Run Stanley 5k trail run to benefit Stanley Park Wildlife Sanctuary.
