Shelley Wolbrink

Shelley Wolbrink is a Professor of History at Drury University, where she has served since 1998. She directs the Medieval and Renaissance Studies program and has held leadership roles including chair of the Division of Social Sciences and History Department.

Her educational credentials include a B.A. from Miami University (Ohio, 1991), M.A. (University of Cincinnati, 1993), and Ph.D. (University of Cincinnati, 1998).

Dr. Wolbrink specializes in twelfth-century women's monasticism, particularly Premonstratensian communities in northwestern Germany. Her research examines gender dynamics in religious institutions through primary sources like The Song of Roland and The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. She teaches courses spanning Ancient Civilizations to Modern Europe, with specialized topics including Witch-hunts of Early Modern Europe and Joan of Arc in Film and History.

Her publications from 2003-2013 analyze Premonstratensian gender cooperation and women's roles, contributing significantly to medieval religious history and gender studies through journals like Catholic Historical Review and reference works including Women and Gender in Medieval Europe: An Encyclopedia.

Dr. Wolbrink actively mentors students as advisor for Phi Alpha Theta and Fulbright opportunities, while leading study abroad programs to Rome, Greece, Morocco, and Egypt for over twenty years. She also directs Drury's fifteen-hour Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor program.