Sarah Kelen

Sarah Kelen is a Professor of English and former Chair of the Department of English at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU), where she has been a faculty member since 1999. She is affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has also held significant administrative roles, including Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Vice President for Student Life.

Education:

• Ph.D., English, Columbia University
• M.A., English, Columbia University
• B.A., English, University of California, Berkeley

Sarah Kelen's research focuses on Medieval and Renaissance literature, early modern cultural studies, and the historiography of the Middle Ages. Her work explores how medieval texts were received and reinterpreted during the Tudor period, particularly through editorial practices and literary anthologies. She has a strong interest in Chaucer, Langland, Shakespeare, and the history of the English language.

Her scholarly publications reflect a consistent engagement with themes of identity, authority, and cultural memory in early English literature. Her recent and past articles analyze editorial history, censorship, genealogical representation, and the ideological shaping of literary canons, particularly in the Norton Anthology.

Scientific Awards:

• 2025 Roger A. Cognard Professor of the Liberal Arts
• 2013 Faculty Scholar Award, NWU
• 2004 Visiting Fellow, Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University
• 2003-2004 Exemplary Teaching Award, NWU

Sarah Kelen has been actively involved in academic leadership and service, including membership in the Peer Review Corps of the Higher Learning Commission and past presidency of the Nebraska State Conference of the AAUP. She advises students and teaches a broad range of courses from first-year composition to senior capstone seminars, including the Archway Seminar. She has also contributed to curriculum development, particularly in signature work assessment.

She maintains an active scholarly presence through her publications and academic profiles on Academia.edu and LinkedIn, and she continues to contribute to the field of medieval and early modern literary studies.