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BETHANY, W.VA.– Bethany College is pleased to announce the promotion of Heather Taylor to the position of associate professor of English. With an impressive background in education and a deep commitment to accessibility, Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role. 

Taylor’s journey at Bethany College began in 2005 when she earned her bachelor’s degree in English, becoming certified in both Ohio and West Virginia. After working at the Resource Room at Belmont Harrison Joint Vocational School and teaching ninth grade English at Meadowbrook High School, Taylor returned to Bethany College in 2007 as the inaugural coordinator of the McCann Writing Center. Since then, she has been a remarkable asset to the College and its students.

Taylor obtained a master’s degree in creative writing/fiction from Wilkes University in 2013, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing/publishing from the same institution in 2014. She then joined Bethany College as an assistant professor of English and was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in Service and the Best Advisor of a Fraternity distinction, along with numerous other accolades. In 2015, Taylor was named the recipient of the Social Work Faithful Angel Award and assumed the role of Director of the McCann Learning Center.  

Taylor’s dedication to her students and the College community has been evident through her involvement in various committees, such as academic standards, student life, student success, enrollment, faculty welfare, strategic planning, general education review, and multiple search committees. Additionally, she has served as Bethany College’s liaison to the Appalachian College Association.   

Bethany President Dr. Jamie Caridi expressed his enthusiasm for Taylor’s promotion, saying, “Heather exemplifies the values and mission of Bethany College. Her unwavering commitment to student success, equity, and accessibility make her an exceptional educator and leader. As we restructure our English Department to provide the highest quality of teaching and learning, we are delighted to see her take on this new role and continue to inspire the Bethany community.” 

Provost and Dean of Faculty Dr. Anju Ramjee added, “Taylor’s extensive experience and dedication to the academic development of our students make her an invaluable asset to Bethany College. We are thrilled to promote her to the position of associate professor of English in the department of humanities and are confident that she will contribute significantly to the growth and excellence of our institution.” 

“I came back to work at Bethany College because this place and its people changed my life as an undergrad, and I believe, deeply, in the idea that a well-rounded education not only prepares you for the workforce, but it also prepares you to be a critical thinker in life. I have loved working with students through my time at the McCann Learning Center and will continue to advocate for equity and accessibility as I move across campus and into the English program. As I think about this transition, I am also thinking about all of the people in my world who have helped me as well as the folks who have come before me in the English program like my advisor Dr. Larry Grimes.” 

Taking over Taylor’s previous position as director of the McCann Learning Center is Cameron Pitsenbarger. Pitsenbarger was previously the assistant director of the Center. He holds a master’s degree in education with a specialization in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Temple University. His expertise extends to various areas, including learner assessment, curriculum design, sociocultural and political dimensions of teaching, and research-based methods in education. Pitsenbarger also has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and composition from West Virginia University, along with a Certificate of TESOL from Sookmyung University in South Korea. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Cameron as the new Director of the Learning Center,” says Caridi. “His passion for nurturing a supportive learning environment makes him the perfect fit for this important role. I am confident that Cameron will lead the McCann Learning Center to new heights, empowering our students to reach their full potential.” 

“It’s my honor to be selected for this role and I’m looking forward to being part of the continuing legacy of the McCann Learning Center,” says Pitsenbarger. “I am thankful for the support of the Bethany community and in particular, the exceptional dedication and hard work of the Learning Center team. My additional thanks and congratulations to Heather Taylor for her guidance both before and into the transition of our roles. The McCann Learning Center team will do our best to continue supporting the college community and is excited for the 23-24 fall semester to begin!”