Contact Information:
Jeremy Sanchez
Department of Communications & Humanities Chair
Contact Information:
Kate Edgar
Department of Communications & Humanities Associate Chair
English & Literature
Language makes us human by allowing us to create societies and culture by shaping and controlling our thought. Language is fundamental not only to our survival and progress, but also to the form of our literary creations; it reflects the heritage and dignity of the human condition. The discipline of English provides the foundational knowledge for diverse careers in writing/editing (technical writer, copywriter, editor, journalist), communications/marketing (PR, social media, advertising), education (teacher, professor), law/government (paralegal, policy advisor), technology, and non-profits, leveraging strong critical thinking, communication, and analysis skills for roles in publishing, media, business, and more.
The English Associate of Arts (AA) will improve students’ writing and critical thinking skills through the study of composition and literature. Students majoring in English will strengthen their writing, analytical, and argumentative skills. English majors will establish a foundation for crafting a unique academic voice through writing courses like Composition I/II and Business and Technical Writing. As they move forward in their degree pathway, students will also study various literary forms and the historical movements that informed literary creation. Any student seeking a career that requires communication or the analysis of information can benefit from the skills they will acquire through the English AA.
Key transferable skills gained include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Critical Thinking & Analysis: Deconstructing complex texts and ideas.
- Communication: Eloquent speaking, precise writing, and active listening.
- Research: Finding, evaluating, and synthesizing information.
- Cultural Insight: Understanding diverse perspectives and storytelling.
- Adaptability: Applying strong communication to various contexts.
Even if students do not eventually enter writing- or education-focused careers, the English AA provides students with a variety of skills employers find valuable. Employers appreciate employees who can communicate efficiently and clearly; employees who know how to conduct research and assess vast amounts of information; and employees who can present their findings following appropriate guidelines. Moreover, students who take English classes encounter exciting and challenging works that promote empathy and understanding, which are valuable traits for any relationships they will want to develop and maintain in their professional and personal lives.
How English Benefits Specific Major Fields of Interest:
- Enhances technical writing, data interpretation, clear presentation of complex ideas, and research skills, making you more effective in tech/research roles.
- Builds strong reading, argumentation, textual analysis, and persuasive writing skills essential for law school and legal careers.
- Deepens understanding of narrative, audience, and effective information delivery, complementing media studies.
- Adds depth in interpretation, cultural context, and research, linking past narratives to present issues.
- Improves patient interaction, empathy, understanding diverse narratives, and clear medical documentation.
- Develops persuasive writing for campaigns, clear reports, brand storytelling, and understanding audience psychology.
In essence, an English minor or major makes you an expert communicator and interpreter, invaluable in any field that requires understanding, persuasion, or clear information transfer, setting you apart from candidates with purely technical skills. An English minor boosts any major by sharpening critical thinking, communication (writing/speaking/analysis), and research skills, making you a better problem-solver and communicator for fields like Business (marketing, management), STEM (technical writing, clear reports), Law (reading complex texts, argument), and Health (patient communication, empathy), giving you a competitive edge in any career by demonstrating analytical depth and versatility.
Getting to Know Your Instructors:
Dan Abella
Associate Professor II of English
Anthony Buenning
Assistant Professor of English
Shelby Bullock
Assistant Professor of English
Brance Davis
Assistant Professor - English
Joshua Dobbs
Associate Professor II - English
Sachie Dominguez
Instructor - English
Associate Professor II - English & Humanities
Kate Edgar
Instructor - English & Humanities
Samuel Hval
Instructor - English
Arthur Rankin
Professor - English & INRW
Susan Rodriguez
Instructor - English & INRW
Kelsey Smith
Instructor - English
Become a Wrangler Today!
Scholarship Oppotunities:
Positively OC Presidential Scholarship
The Positively OC Presidential Scholarship at Odessa College offers a 2-semester tuition & fee waiver, developing student leaders who share positivity online & in the community, featuring leadership workshops & mentorship; it's part of OC's mission to uplift the Permian Basin and foster student success through campus/social media engagement.
Click Here for Further Information on the Positively OC Presidential Scholarship
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Student Financial Aid Scholarships
Odessa College annually awards more than $500,000 in academic scholarships to recognize scholastic merit. This is a partial list of the scholarships awarded through OC Student Financial Aid. Unless otherwise specified, students may apply for any of these scholarships with Awardspring. Students must reapply each spring for the next school year.
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Strong Start Scholarship
The Strong Start Scholarship helps cover tuition and standard fees for your first credit class (up to 3 credit hours) at Odessa College during the summer term immediately following your high school graduation. (Note: Continuing education and workforce non-credit classes are not eligible.)
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Free Tuition Opportunity:
Wrangler Promise
Odessa College offers free tuition through programs like the Wrangler Promise, covering tuition/fees for eligible local high school grads to earn an associate degree, and the one-time First Class Free Scholarship for first-time students taking their initial credit class. Other aid includes Pell Grants, loans, and specific scholarships, but the core free opportunities are for new students or local residents under the Promise program, requiring FAFSA completion.