About

Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones

Dr. Thom Dawkins is a Lecturer in the Writing Program at Case Western Reserve University, where he teaches Academic Inquiry Seminars in the Foundations cohort, including “Writing Home: Exploring Identity & Place (AIQS 110).” His teaching and scholarship explore the intersections of writing, identity, place, and public life, with a focus on helping students find their own motivations and best practices for writing and communication that engages the communities and contexts that they inhabit.

Before returning to CWRU, Thom served as Director of the Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research at Oberlin College, where he led engaged-learning and community-based learning initiatives, connecting classrooms and research to the work that students will do out in the world, whether that be academic, creative, professional, or otherwise.

Across his teaching and administrative roles, Thom is committed to educating the whole person and fostering inclusive, collaborative learning environments where students, faculty, and community members are invited to dialogue across difference while pursuing the questions and curiosities that they hold in common. In doing so, he works to support student and faculty development in Writing Across the Curriculum and Writing in the Disciplines (WAC/WID).

He earned his PhD in English from Case Western Reserve University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Chatham University, and a Master of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School. A proud first-generation college student, Thom holds a BA from Washington & Jefferson College.