Paige Hermansen

Professor Wyatt Paige Hermansen (they/them) has been a faculty member at Westfield State University (WSU) since 2016. They serve as the Coordinator of the Composition Program and specialize in rhetoric, writing studies, and composition pedagogy. Their research focuses on the transition from high school to college writing, education policy rhetoric, and discourse analysis. They actively mentor LGBTQIA+ educators and advocate for racial justice in teaching practices. Hermansen teaches dual enrollment courses through the Westfield Promise program and has instructed at Westfield Technical Academy, Westfield High School, and Springfield High School of Commerce.

Education: B.A. in English (University of Texas at Austin, 2006), M.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing (Western Washington University, 2009), Ph.D. in English and Rhetoric and Composition (University of Arkansas, 2016).

Research interests include queer theory, anti-racist pedagogy, and the rhetoric of education policy. They supervise undergraduate research projects, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA) pedagogy. Hermansen is a member of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) Lavender Rhetorics Award committee and the James Berlin Dissertation Award committee.

Teaching includes ENGL 101, ENGL 201, ENGL 206, and courses like Persuasive Communication and Issues in the Teaching of Writing. They emphasize fostering inclusive environments and college-level writing skills among high school students.