Meet Michele Perry-Stewart
Faculty Spotlight
Meet Michele Perry-Stewart; associate professor of English, advisor for the Newman Club, and co-chair of the Presidential Commission on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity at Gordon State College.
Perry-Stewart earned her B.A. and M.A. in English from Albany State University. However, her appreciation for English began as a child. As a quiet observer rather than an avid conversationalist, she discovered the power of words. Now, she wishes to lead others to the realization that words create and transform. Since “art {in its various forms} imitates life,” she enjoys using literature to demonstrate that once students have mastered words, they will have a greater level of self-awareness.
Gordon State welcomed Perry-Stewart in 2003. At the time, she was searching for a safe, nurturing community for her children, which she found in Barnesville and the Gordon State College family. She is thankful for the support by
As a professor, Perry-Stewart’s main goal is to help her students become independent thinkers and find their voice through the written word. She also hopes that, in her classes, her students will gain an understanding of their inherent worth and a desire for the acquisition of knowledge. In her teaching, she is interested in using high-impact practices, believing that experiential learning provides individuals with the opportunity to become life-long learners. While her favorite part of her job is interacting with her students in the classroom, her proudest moments at Gordon are seeing these students, who sacrificed and struggled, finally accept their diplomas at graduation. She says witnessing this testament to dedication and perseverance is indescribable and brings tears to her eyes every year. Currently, she is working on her doctorate at the University of Georgia, but once she retires, she hopes to own an antique store in Savannah.