Jason McEntee

Associate Professor of English

Education: Ph.D. at University of Kentucky; M.A. and B.A. at SDSU

Awards: Griffith Faculty Development Award; New Ideas grants (four of them); English Department Outstanding Teacher of Literature (honorable mention), University of Kentucky

“I’ve always believed that SDSU is one of the best-kept secrets in the nation—not just our emphasis on research, but also teaching—what’s unique is that we give an excellent degree, but really engage in a way not possible at other universities,” says McEntee.

He ought to know. McEntee completed his undergrad and master’s degrees here before attending the University of Kentucky for his Ph.D. Afterward, he came straight back.

“SDSU is the only place I considered working—and Brookings, the only place I considered living—in South Dakota.”

Since doing so, McEntee has started the professional writing minor and his first book. And, while he teaches some “traditional” English classes, he also teaches a handful of classes that combine literature and film—especially that of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars.

“I think the most effective teachers, in any discipline, are able to connect the topics of their courses to the world at large. I threw myself into the lit and film of Vietnam and found that much of the literature actually relied on film (references, actors such as John Wayne).”

So how does McEntee bring that type of research to the classroom?

“It might sound funny, but I get my students engaged simply because they have to be if they want to be part of the dialogue.”