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Faculty

The English faculty at Elmhurst University consists of dedicated professors with wide-ranging areas of expertise and scholarly contributions.

Our approachable faculty employ a variety of teaching methods and tools to create a learning environment in which each student can rise to his or her potential. Our small classes and our caring atmosphere guarantee that you will get the personal attention you need to develop your talents.

Full-Time Faculty

Nicholas Behm, Ph.D.

Professor and Department Chair, English; Director, Center for Scholarship and Teaching
Center for Scholarship and Teaching

Maria Capecchi, Elmhurst University

Maria Capecchi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of English

Dianne L. Chambers, Ph.D.

Professor, English
Department of English

Ann Frank Wake, Ph.D.

Professor, English; Professor, Intercultural Studies
Department of English

Janice Tuck Lively, Ph.D.

Professor, English
Department of English

Erika McCombs, Elmhurst University

Erika McCombs, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of English

Mary Kay Mulvaney, Ph.D.

Professor, English; Director, Honors Program
Department of English

Bridget K. O'Rourke, Ph.D.

Director, Writing Program; Professor, English
Department of English

Samuel Rush

Senior Lecturer
Department of English

Natasha Strother, Elmhurst University

Natasha Strother

Lecturer
Department of English

Staff

Cindy Noftz

Administrative Assistant
Department of English

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our Bluejay moms! Thank you for all that you do to support your students, our campus community and everything in between. Today, we celebrate you. 💙💐

✏️ Today is National Teachers’ Day and we’re celebrating the teachers who shape the world— those leading classrooms now and those preparing to make their mark! To our education students, dedicated alumni in schools everywhere and the Elmhurst professors who inspire it all, thank you for the difference you make every day.

May is AAPI Heritage Month! A time to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. We're proud to honor the voices and traditions that help shape who we are. Student groups like the Asian Club of Elmhurst are hosting events all month long– join in and celebrate with us!

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From solving equations to composing rock soundtracks to preparing for his future classroom, Maddux Masopust ‘26 is doing it all here at Elmhurst! Read his story at elmhurst.edu/Stories 👏

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⚾ Recruited for baseball.
💪 Drawn to kinesiology.
🔥 Training like a pro.
Nolan Brozyna ’27 is rounding the bases—and setting big goals on and off the field. Read more about his Bluejay journey and other student stories at elmhurst.edu/Stories 💙