Lisa Whalen

Lisa Whalen is an English professor at North Hennepin Community College (NHCC), where she teaches composition, creative writing, journalism, literature, and literary studies. She holds a Ph.D. in postsecondary and adult education from Capella University, with a research focus on narratives and empathy. Her academic work bridges teaching, writing, and interdisciplinary inquiry into human-animal bonds, body image, and introversion.

Educational Background:

• BA, College of Saint Catherine-Minneapolis
• MA, Hamline University (Creative and Critical Writing)
• PhD, Capella University (Postsecondary and Adult Education)

Whalen's research and writing explore themes of personality, resilience, and the transformative power of narrative. Her work appears in edited collections such as An Introvert in an Extrovert World and The Simpsons’ Beloved Springfield, as well as in journals like Writing on the Edge and blogs including Introvert, Dear. She is deeply engaged in public scholarship, particularly through her acclaimed memoir Stable Weight: A Memoir of Hunger, Horses, and Hope, which won the 2022 Reserve Champion at the international Equus Film and Arts Festival.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward narrative-based pedagogy, empathy in education, and personal storytelling as a tool for healing and empowerment. These works span creative nonfiction, academic pedagogy, and cultural commentary, often intersecting psychology, literature, and digital learning.

Scientific and Literary Recognition:

• 2022 Reserve Champion, Equus International Film and Arts Festival (for Stable Weight)

Whalen is an active advisor and mentor through her teaching, though no formal list of advisees is available. She has contributed to educator resources on critical thinking, media literacy, and bias, and her work is supported by her engagement with academic and literary communities. As an equestrian and animal welfare advocate, she integrates personal experience into her scholarship and public speaking, particularly on eating disorder recovery and the healing power of horses.

She is affiliated with a vibrant network of writers, educators, and advocates, and her voice continues to grow in both academic and public spheres.