Faculty Spotlight on Dr. David “Shane” Combs

Dr. Shane Combs answers a student’s question during class.

Helping Students Find Their Voice

Combs’ Classes Are Not Short On Fun

By GRACE STUMBAUGH

it up. Or, you might find something that fits you better idea-wise than anything you’ve seen—but just try things on and see how it fits you inside the class and outside the class.”

If you ever find yourself on the fourth Combs wasn’t always set on becoming an Combs is currently taking positive floor of T-Berry Smith Hall on a English professor. He actually had a bitter psychology classes with a colleague. They Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, you’ll attitude towards writing until he took an know that many students at CMU are first probably hear laughter English course at his local generation and might not have confidence and lively discussion community college. in their writing, so Combs is trying to help trickling from one of the The English professor build a composition program where students classrooms. Inside is Dr. there encouraged him to learn about their strengths and values. David “Shane” Combs and use his unique “voice” “I really like the concept of teaching his Imagination, Joy, and while writing, which students to think critically, to understand Harry Potter class. It’s his was something Combs the world and themselves, and to be favorite to teach. had never heard from an creative—but also that they can use any

“I feel like a lot of the English teacher before. All content to get there,” he said. students are responding of a sudden, writing became Combs’ favorite thing about working and getting something out something that Combs was at CMU is the wide variety of classes he’s of the class for themselves,” passionate about, and it all been able to teach. Other universities limit Combs said. changed from there. English professors to only teaching classes

Before starting at Now, he works to help specifically pertaining to their PhDs, but Central Methodist CMU students discover Combs is grateful for the opportunity to University in 2019, Combs was getting his PhD in Dr. David “Shane” Combs their voice in the same manner that his English branch out at CMU. “Here, I’ve taught composition, English studies at Illinois State University. professor helped him. He believes that CMU literature, and creative writing,” he said. He excelled there, earning numerous is the perfect environment to do so. “We’re not territorial with our classes.” awards like the Writing Program “[My classroom] is a place where you In his free time, Combs records a sports Appreciation Award and the Outstanding just try things on,” he said. “You try on all podcast with his friend and enjoys writing Teaching Award in the Graduate Student the ‘outfits’—and you might put it aside whenever he can. He also loves to spend Teaching category. when the semester is over and never pick time outdoors.