Dr. Litasha Dennis, professor of English, is the 2020 SCICU Excellence In Teaching award recipient for Spartanburg Methodist College. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in twentieth-century American literature with a concentration in African American literature and a minor in nineteenth-century American Literature. Dr. Dennis also earned an M.A. and B.A., both in English, from Winthrop University. Her research interests include twentieth-century American literature and race and gender issues.

In addition to her many curricular activities, Dr. Dennis has served as the English and Literature Division chair and on multiple other faculty committees over the years. She has a command of the classroom that many on the SMC faculty seek to emulate. She is noted for her uncanny knack in quickly knowing each student’s name within just days of the beginning of a term.

Colleagues and students alike have great respect for Dr. Dennis. In 2016, she was selected to receive the Archie Vernon and Margaret Wannamaker Huff Faculty award. The annual honor is given to the Spartanburg Methodist faculty member who exemplifies outstanding professional qualifications and teaching ability.

Dr. Dennis gives selflessly to the life of Spartanburg Methodist College, with special attention to student success. Her colleague, Dr. Pamela Hutto, stated it well when she said, “Perhaps the best evidence of excellence in teaching is receiving recommendations from the students themselves. Litasha effectively guides our students in developing the writing and analytical skills that are required to succeed in college and beyond, and she truly demonstrates excellence in teaching.”