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Lisa Smith Faculty Profile

Lisa Smith

Divisional Dean
Associate Professor of Teaching of English
Humanities & Teacher Education Division, Seaver College
CAC 300
310.506.7232

Biography

Lisa Smith earned her PhD in early American literature at the University of Delaware. Her courses focus on gender and spirituality in early American literature, the First Great Awakening, and spiritual writing. Dr. Smith has published several books and currently serves as divisional dean of Humanities and Teacher Education.

Education

  • PhD in English, University of Delaware
  • MA in English, University of Delaware
  • BA in English and Psychology, University of Delaware

 

  • This is My Beloved: Embracing the Bridal Love of Jesus. Wipf and Stock, 2024.
  • Hammer & Fire: Lessons on Spiritual Passion from the Writings and Life of George Whitefield. Square Halo Books, 2024.

  • “Using Comics to Teach Analytical Writing,” in Teaching Comedy, edited by Bev Hogue, MLA Options for Teaching series, Modern Language Association, 2023, pp. 193-200.

  • Godly Character(s): Insights for Spiritual Passion from the Lives of 8 Women in the Bible. Square Halo Books, 2018.
  • The First Great Awakening in Colonial American Newspapers: A Shifting Story. Lanham, MD: Roman & Littlefield's Lexington Books, 2012.
  • Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence 2023, Pepperdine University
  • Brett J. Love Award for Teaching Excellence, Pepperdine University April 2010, Humanities and Teacher Education Division
  • Teacher of Influence, Pepperdine University October 2009, Women's Basketball Team

  • “Leadership in the Next Generation with Dr. Lisa Smith: Trust, Collaboration, and Courage,” The Life You’re Made for with Dr. Heather Penny, season 5, episode 6, November 19, 2025.

  • “Contemplation” (podcast), Naming the Animals: An Invitation to Creativity, episode 3, Square Halo Books, June 21, 2022.
  • “Back to the Past: Dr. Lisa Smith and the Genesis Lab Innovate New Virtual Reality Assignment,” Seaver Newsroom, November 11, 2022.
  • "Class Action Hero." Pepperdine Magazine, Sara Bunch, vol. 10, no. 1, Spring 2018, pp. 34-37.
  • "Profile: English Professor Lisa Smith Promotes Students' Spiritual Well-Being." Pepp Post, Lindsey Sullivan, 17 March 2018.

Topics

  • Early American Literature
  • First Great Awakening
  • Gender and Spirituality
  • Spiritual and Creative Writing

Courses

  • Gender and Spirituality in Early American Literature
  • Documents of the First Great Awakening
  • Early American Women Writers
  • Foundations of Reasoning

Links