Mona Choucair

Dr. Mona M. Choucair, Senior Lecturer, returned to her alma mater, Baylor University, for her Ph.D. in 1998 and counts herself blessed to be teaching here years later.  A native of Munday, TX, Mona received her B.A. in English as well as a secondary teaching certificate from BU and then taught public school at Waxahachie High School for a number of years.  She received her M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies of English & Humanities from The University of Dallas.  She currently enjoys a dual assignment between the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Education.           

Dr. Choucair teaches American Literature survey courses as well as an Advanced Grammar course in the English department and Young Adult Literature and Secondary Methods courses in the School of Education.  She also enjoys supervising her secondary interns.  She has been a Councilor for the Council for College Teachers of English, CCTE, remains an active member of South Central Modern Language Association, SCMLA, and continues her annual role as an invited grader and question leader for The College Board, specifically in the Advanced Placement English language exams.

Dr. Choucair’s greatest joy comes from daily interactions with her students. In 2008, the Senior Class of Baylor University honored her with the Collins Outstanding Professor of the Year Award, and she was recognized at their May graduation ceremony.  She had the pleasure of directing the Baylor Fall 2013 Study Abroad Program in Maastricht, Netherlands, where she was a visiting professor at the University of Maastricht, teaching classes on American Short Stories and Contemporary Women Writers.  In 2018, Dr. Choucair was honored to give the keynote address to the freshman class at the time-honored fall Convocation ceremony.  And most recently in July 2019, she taught British literature in the Baylor in Great Britain (BGB) summer study abroad program based in Imperial College, London.

She is currently working on a book project that suggests that Young Adult Literature must be added to the traditional English curriculum in secondary schools.  Another research interest involves Contemporary Minority Women writers.  Choucair wrote her dissertation, entitled, “Whose Culture Are You Bearing: Searching for Self” on Toni Morrison’s novels, including Beloved, Song of Solomon, and Paradise.  She enjoys teaching a Toni Morrison seminar periodically.

She is an active member of First United Methodist Church and enjoys volunteer activities ranging from tutoring in the LEAF literacy project in Waco to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure as well as the One Book One Waco initiatives.

Dr. Choucair is honored to start her sixth year as a Faculty in Residence for the School of Education IMPACT Living Learning Center, housed in South Russell hall.  “I see this important role as a natural extension of what I love to do already—getting to know students.  Pro Futuris calls for a unique place for community; I believe our LLC will do just that.  I look forward to continuing transformational experiences for both the residents and myself.”