Michelle Filling, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, English
Dr. Michelle Filling applied for a faculty position at Cabrini College because she was attracted by Cabrini's commitment to social justice and service learning. Upon joining the faculty in 2008, she was impressed by the dynamic spirit of the campus community.
"Cabrini's size allows for individualized mentoring that helps students to explore research interests and plan for a career or graduate school," Filling says.
"The English faculty members are committed to fostering a contemporary English department with attention to disciplinary diversity and beyond-the-classroom experiences that help to prepare our students for careers in teaching, academia, publishing, journalism, or law."
Going beyond the traditional literary text to study media and material culture is a way to illuminate the importance and value of English studies, according to Filling.
"Studying social justice and cultural issues is fundamental to shaping a modern English department that is not limited to pursing literary studies within historical time periods or national boundaries," Filling says.
The cornerstone of Filling's educational approach is making the students her primary focus. She encourages students to make connections between the classroom, their lives, and their futures.
"Education is more than just a grade; it is about becoming an engaged citizen," Filling says.
Filling's research focuses on beauty, culture, and race. She also is specifically interested in 20th century women writers, African American literature, and composition studies.
Two of Filling's favorite hobbies are boating and dancing. She is a classically-trained dancer and serves as the president of the Alumni Dance Chapter of West Chester University, her alma mater. She also coaches Cabrini's dance team and choreographs Cabrini student musical productions.
Filling earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Delaware.
Contact information
Dr. Michelle Filling
Assistant Professor, English
Grace Hall, Room 210
610-902-8121
michelle.l.filling@cabrini.edu