معرفی
Mary Helen Kashuba is Professor of French and Russian and Chair of the Department of Foreign Language and Literature at Chestnut Hill College. She has been a central figure in the academic and spiritual life of the institution for decades, contributing significantly to curriculum development, faculty leadership, and student mentorship.
Educational Background:
- B.A., Chestnut Hill College, 1955
- M.A. in Russian, Fordham University, 1964
- D.M.L. in French and Russian, Middlebury College, 1971
- Additional Study: Sorbonne, Laval University, Moscow State University, Leningrad (St. Petersburg) State University
Her research spans French and Russian literature of the 19th and 20th centuries, foreign language pedagogy, and the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Chestnut Hill College. She has authored the seminal book Tradition and Risk: Chestnut Hill College, 1924–1999 and numerous scholarly articles in the MLA 'Approaches to Teaching' series, NECTFL Review, The French Review, and Teilhard Studies. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary connections, particularly between literature, science, and personal discovery.
Her recent publications reflect a strong engagement with existential themes in Camus, moral complexity in Tolstoy, and innovative teaching strategies in language education. She has also contributed to religious and philosophical discourse through her writings on Teilhard de Chardin and Charles Péguy.
Scientific Awards and Honors:
- Commandeur in the Palmes Académiques (French Government, 2019)
- Nelson Brooks Award for Leadership (NECTFL, 2019)
- LaMarr Kopp Lifetime Achievement Award (PaCIE, 2016)
- Frank Mulhern Leadership Award (PSMLA, 2012)
- PSMLA Educator of the Year (2003)
- Dorothy Ludwig Excellence in Teaching Award (AATF, 2003)
- Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (1975)
Sister Mary Helen has held national leadership roles, including President of the American Association of Teachers of French (2013–2015), and has served on the boards of ACTFL and NECTFL. She currently leads in PSMLA and MLAPV. Though deeply involved in professional organizations and research, she emphasizes her identity as a teacher first, committed to inspiring students and fostering a love of learning. She has no known formal lab or research team, but her influence extends through her mentorship, publications, and service.
