Hope’s Department of English cultivates vision, insight and imagination.
We do this through individual and collaborative practices of writing and reading that bridge boundaries within the global community.
We’re a collaborative community where students and faculty challenge each other intellectually and creatively.
English students at Hope dive deep into literature of every kind and learn how to improve their writing with masters of the craft. Through composition, creative writing and literature classes, our students become more artistic in their scholarship and more knowledgeable in their creativity.
Small classes and one-on-one collaboration foster an environment that is both demanding and encouraging. We offer a wide range of unique courses taught by professors who love what they do and take joy in furthering their students intellectually, spiritually and socially. Being a part of our department is much more than time spent in class and individual coursework.
The department is dedicated to offering its students plenty of opportunities to supplement their learning and engage in it. From on-campus activities and guest speakers to volunteer opportunities, highly sought-after workshops and student-faculty collaboration, English students at Hope actively involve themselves in gaining practical experience and making unforgettable memories. Every student’s experience in the program is distinctive, tailored to his or her interests and passions. We work together and support each other.
Meet Some of our faculty And staff
We love our faculty and staff, and think you will, too. Get to know some of our English professors and hear them share about favorite authors, their favorite things about Hope and more.






Recent blog posts
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An Act of Remembrance: Visiting Writers Sumita Chakraborty and Noé Alvarez
Posted by English Department 'Written by Elsa Kim, Creative Writing major Sumita Chakraborty—essayist, scholar, and author of...
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Faculty Spotlight: On Martyrdom…and the Research Process
Posted by English Department 'By Dr. Marla Lunderberg, Associate Professor of English, Hope College What words or images come t...
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Speaking Truth: Visiting Writers Melissa Valentine and Michael X. Wang
Posted by English Department 'Written by Anna Snader, a freshman at Hope studying Social Studies Education with an interest in ...
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From Literature to Lawyers: How I Used My English Degrees
Posted by English Department 'Written by Ben Opipari, Ph.D., a Hope alum and business owner. What I really wanted to be was a r...
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“In Theory”: How I Learned to Defend Literature
Posted by Michelle VanDenendEssay written by Kallen Mohr from her Intro to Literary Theory course, Fall 2022 Since my time ...
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2023 Academy of American Poets Prize
Posted by Michelle VanDenendAbout the Prize The Hope College Academy of American Poets (AAP) Prize award is funded by th...
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DeGraaf Lecture Series
This noted lecture series welcomes admired scholars from myriad disciplines.