Dr. Kris Swenson has been named interim chair of the English and technical communication department at Missouri University of Science and Technology, effective July 1, 2009.

Swenson joined Missouri S&T in 1997 as an assistant professor of English and was named associate professor in 2003.

Swenson takes over as chair of the English and technical communication department from Gene Doty, who has served as chair since his selection in 2006. Doty intends to retire following the current semester. Swenson will serve in the role until a permanent chair is selected.

In her role as coordinator of Missouri S&T’s freshman English program, Swenson led the Books-In-Common initiative. This initiative gives incoming freshmen a sense of community, as faculty teaching all sections of introductory English teach the same book.

During her career, Swenson has received several teaching awards. She was named S&T’s 2006 Woman of the Year for her leadership in improving the campus climate for women.

Swenson received a bachelor’s degree in English from Luther College in 1987 and a master’s degree in English from the University of Virginia in 1989. She earned a Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Iowa in 1995.