Featured Faculty Member: Dr. Holly Wells

"You have something to give the world, and the world has something to give you," says Wells. Photo Credit / Randy Lertdarapong

By Randy Lertdarapong

Social Media Editor

"You have something to give the world, and the world has something to give you," says Wells. Photo Credit / Randy Lertdarapong
“You have something to give the world, and the world has something to give you,” says Wells. Photo Credit / Randy Lertdarapong

Within the English department, Dr. Holly Wells takes an unorthodox—yet practical—approach to teaching.

Her bubbly personality and contagious laughter motivates students to make a difference in their local community.

She provides students the opportunity to network and do volunteer work for local organizations.

“You don’t always get that with literature and writing classes,” says Wells. “I think the more we can connect students with the community, the better, because they feel more invested.”

Currently, her senior seminar class is working on a documentary for Blue Mountain Preservation Association.

The association’s mission statement is “to preserve, protect and promote the natural resources and environment of the Blue Ridge Mountain in Monroe County.”

The course work includes researching archives, conducting interviews and compiling information for their clients.

They learn business practices that helps prepare them for their future careers as professional writers, meanwhile, helping preserve the environment.

“Teaching students in a way that brings out the interdisciplinary of the career world is essential,” says Wells.

In the past, she has worked as a technical writer and marketing communications writer.

She infuses her experiences in the business world with her teachings to promote and advocate important programs that help feminism, children and the environment.

“Students love doing something that matters,” says Wells.

“The more they give to the community, the more [the community] gives back.”

She stresses the importance of community and cultivates that idea in her students so they can make a difference in the world and make it better for future generations.

“You have something to give the world, and the world has something to give you,”she says.

Wells came to East Stroudsburg University in 2013 and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. She is also the coordinator of the graduate program in professional and digital media writing.

To learn more about Blue Mountain Preservation Association, you can visit their website: http://www.bluemtpreservation.org.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can visit www.volunteer.gov. To find out more information about service learning, visit www.esu.edu/servicelearning.

Email Randy at: rlertdarap@live.esu.edu