Four Seminole State College language arts and humanities professors presented at the 2024 Southwest Popular and American Culture Association (SWPACA) Conference during the week of Feb. 21-24 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A panel consisting of Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz, Associate Professor of English Andrew Davis and Associate Professor English Yasminda Choate presented on pedagogical approaches to teaching writing composition through the lens of popular culture, titled “Aerosmith to Zombies: Using Pop Culture to Engage Students in First-Year Writing.” Juhasz also read two short stories, “All American and “Where the Wild Things Were,” from his most recent collection, “As If Place Matters.” Associate Professor of English Jessica Isaacs read poetry from her manuscript “Mother Makes Potions.”

The four professors teach English Composition, Creative Writing, Film and Literature courses at SSC.

The mission of the SWPACA is to promote an innovative and nontraditional academic movement in humanities and social sciences celebrating America’s cultural heritages. The annual conference provides an outlet for scholars, writers, and others interested in popular/American culture to share ideas in a professional atmosphere and increase awareness and improve public perceptions of America’s cultural traditions and diverse populations.