Karen Weekes, Ph.D.

As Director of Faculty Development, Dr. Weekes oversees program reviews, mentoring, new faculty, promotion & tenure processes, Faculty Fellows, the Teaching & Learning Collaborative, faculty programming, high-impact practices, and more. She is also an Associate Professor of English and Women’s Studies.

Teaching interests and courses taught at Penn State

Areas: contemporary literature, American literature, women’s writing, women’s studies
ENGL 136      The Graphic Novel
ENGL 140      Contemporary Literature
ENGL 200      Introduction to Critical Reading (Literary Theory)        
ENGL 232      American Literature from 1865
ENGL 050      Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 213      Introduction to Poetry Writing
ENGL 004      Basic Writing Skills ENGL 400 African Women Writers
ENGL 490      Women Writers (cross-listed with Women’s Studies)   
ENGL 487W  Senior Seminar on Postmodernism
ENGL 419      Advanced Business Writing
ENGL 417      The Editing Process
ENGL 003      Traditions in American Literature
ENGL 001      Understanding Literature (Honors Seminar)                        
PSU 001          Freshman Seminar: Issues in Women’s Health
WMNST 001  Introduction to Women’s Studies
WMNST 301  Introduction to Feminist Thought

Selected awards, grants, patents, other honors

Award for Distinguished Faculty Service, 2018
Outstanding Teacher Award, 2016
Outstanding Advising/Mentoring Award, 2013
Lion Heart Award, Penn State Abington Senior Class, 2008.
Chief Ogontz Award, Penn State Abington, 2008.
Club Advisor of the Year, Penn State Abington, 2007.
Outstanding Teacher Award, Penn State Abington, 2005.
Recipient, “Above & Beyond” Student-Selected Faculty Award, April 2004.