1966: Dr. Nancy Tischler Becomes First Female Professor at Capitol Campus
Dr. Nancy Tischler, professor of English and humanities, was one of eight professors—and the only female professor—that Capitol Campus hired for its inaugural year in 1966. She, with the other seven professors, designed curriculum and established the college’s governance structure.
The college quickly promoted her to head of the humanities graduate and undergraduate programs where she was instrumental in developing them, particularly the secondary education and business options. During this time she was also a faculty and executive council member who helped to draft the constitution for the faculty organization and prepare the campus’ first strategic plan. From 1981-1982, she chaired the faculty senate.
In 1983, she earned another promotion as the Summer Session Director. In that role she was instrumental in developing and expanding the summer semester programming for the entire Penn State University community. Among her many accomplishments in this role was establishing the University’s Scholars in Residence program that enabled minority faculty members to teach summer courses at Penn State, which diversified the faculty and occasionally led to full-time employment opportunities.
Dr. Tischler continued to teach at Capitol Campus while directing the Summer Session until her retirement in 1997. In her retirement, she furthered her research and publications on Tennessee Williams.
Education
- B.S. Education, Wilson Teacher’s College
- M.A. & Ph.D. English, University of Arkansas
- Fulbright Scholar at the University College of the Southwest in Exeter, England
Prior Roles
- Faculty member at George Washington University
- Faculty member at Susquehanna University
- The Selected Letters of Tennessee Williams
- Tennessee Williams: Rebellious Puritan
- Dorothy L. Sayers: A Pilgrim Soul
- Student Companion to Tennessee Williams
- Men and Women of the Bible: A Reader’s Guide
- Thematic Guide to Biblical Literature
- All Things in the Bible: An Encyclopedia of the Biblical World
- Legacy of Eve: Women of the Bible
- A Voice of Her Own: Women, Literature, and Transformation