Betsy Verhoeven

Betsy Verhoeven is an Associate Professor of English & Creative Writing and Co-Department Head at Susquehanna University. She holds a PhD from the University of Denver, an MA from Oklahoma State University, and a BA from Oklahoma State University. Her research focuses on how texts shape worldviews, democratic processes, and civic engagement. She is Principal Investigator (PI) for an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant (Engaging Democratic Ethos: Innovative Rhetorical Education for a Participatory Society) and a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant (Promoting Civil Discourse in a Polarizing World). These initiatives aim to expand civic writing programs and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

Verhoeven serves as Writing Coordinator, guiding writing instruction across disciplines, and has held leadership roles including Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Associate Dean for Arts/Humanities/Natural and Social Sciences, and Interim Dean for Arts and Humanities. She teaches courses in professional and civic writing, publishing ethics, and environmentalism.

Her recent work explores storytelling's role in entrepreneurship and the intersection of liberal arts education with post-graduation success. She emphasizes collaborative projects that bridge academia, community, and industry.