Meg Petersen, associate professor of English, is a passionate advocate for the teaching of writing at all levels. She is coordinator of PSU’s M.Ed. program in English and director of the Plymouth Writing Project, New Hampshire’s site of the National Writing Project.

“Nothing is closer to the essence of people’s lives than their language. While language may not directly influence thought, our reading and writing of words affects the way we are in the world,” said Petersen. “The full liberating potential of reading and writing is too vital for anyone to miss out on. I believe that writing—and teaching writing—is the most important work in the world.”

Dennise Maslakowski, associate vice president of the College of Graduate Studies, called Petersen’s commitment to learning and teaching “inspirational,” and added, “She spends a great deal of time reflecting on her own practices and shows her graduate students how to do the same. She goes above and beyond what is required to maximize her students’ learning and teaching experiences.”