Engaging students in active learning is important in academic settings and Stacey Kikendall is bringing that aspect to Park as new assistant professor of English.

Kikendall began working at Park Aug. 1, 2013.

“I love it,” Kikendall said. “I like Park students and my fellow faculty members.”

Kikendall said she believes learning requires students to engage in reading, writing and participating in class activities. This enhances intellectual discussions and it is the best way for students to learn, she said.

Although she came to Park three months ago, she previously taught English at the University of New Mexico and the University of South Carolina.

“I went to theUniversity of New Mexico for my Ph.D. and I taught there for seven years,” Kikendall said.

Currently, she is teaching English 106, which focuses on academic writing and researching. At the same time, she is also teaching English 201, an introduction to literature.

“I like that Park University is a small school because I get to know my students better,” she said.

After many years in the teaching field, Kikendall has developed a strong passion for teaching and she said education is a “two-way street.”

She said writing develops students’ creativity. As a professor, she said she wants to see her students learning important skills they need to function in an academic world.

Additionally, she said she believes that students who write better become effective communicators. As a result, Kikendall wants her students to come to class prepared in order to participate in class activities including reading, writing or discussing.

“I want them to be willing to embrace new ideas,” Kikendall said. “I expect my students to become better writers, better communicators and to be able to think critically.”

Kikendall said learning requires commitment and persistence to achieve the desired goal.

“There is no easy way to become a better writer,” she said. “It takes effort, it takes time and it takes persistence.”

Kikendall said she encourages her students to consider writing as a vital skill in every profession they may take in the future.

Klaranda Behrens, freshman, is currently enrolled in Kikendall’s English 201 class. She said she likes theway Professor Kikendall teaches.

“She is very nice and energetic,” said Behrens. “She   goes out of her way to find resources that students can relate to.”

Behrens said Kikendall encourages students to read literature for full understanding.

“She allows students to discuss theliterature from their perspective and she encourages different views,” Behrens said.