English instructor uplifts the college core message, “Where all students belong.”

Elizabeth Kellett, 43, an English instructor at Inver Hills Community College, has been named the college’s 2024–2025 Student Selected Faculty of the Year. Elizabeth started teaching at Inver Hills in August 2023.

“I’m surprised and humbled by this award,” she said. “I truly feel like I have the best students, and they make my job such a joy to do! I’m grateful that I get to support them, even just a little bit, on their academic journeys.”

Before joining the English faculty at Inver Hills, Elizabeth served as an English instructor in the St. Cloud State University English department, where she designed and taught first-year composition and rhetorical writing courses. She first arrived at Inver Hills in 2008, serving for two years as a professional writing tutor in the Writing Center and English department.

“I gave birth to my first child in the summer of 2010, so I left to be a stay-at-home parent,” Elizabeth said. “I was primarily at home with my four children until my youngest went to kindergarten in the fall of 2023. To my delight, I found myself back at Inver Hills with many of the same amazing English faculty I worked with years prior!”

As an English faculty member, Elizabeth teaches mostly composition courses, although she also has experience teaching literature. She is active and engaged both in her department and on campus, presenting on Student Success Day and volunteering at other campus events. She enjoys mentoring first-generation college students and nontraditional students, and she also has experience teaching English to nonnative speakers. Elizabeth herself is a first-generation college graduate.

Elizabeth holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) in English from St. Cloud State University. Her thesis was titled Multicultural Literature in the Composition Classroom: Using Literature to Gain Cultural Insights and Analytical Skills in Introductory Composition. She completed a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English: Literature and Writing with a Minor in Psychology at St. Cloud State University in 2004. She also earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) at North Hennepin Community College.

When asked what she likes best about teaching at Inver Hills, Elizabeth replied, “The people! We are so lucky to have fantastic students, staff, and faculty!”

Elizabeth and her husband, Ryan Claver, have been married nearly 19 years, and they have four children ages 14, 12, 9, and 6. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to read, bake, and spend time with her family.

“If it’s nice out, we’re outside walking, hiking, or playing at a park,” she said. “I volunteer at my kids’ schools when I can, and I try to be very involved in their education.”

Elizabeth family gallery

About the award…

Kimberly Swinney, student life director at Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College, reported that each year the Student Selected Faculty of the Year honor is awarded via student nominations. A final vote is taken by the college’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Alpha Omicron Beta chapter officers.

“We recognize our Student Selected Faculty of the Year awardee at the commencement ceremony in May, ” Kimberly said. “We invite our awardee to join the college’s Minnesota State Board of Trustees Outstanding Educator in leading the faculty processional at the event.”

Elizabeth Kellett, MA: Teaching philosophy

“I always encourage curiosity and creativity in my classroom. I want my students to ask questions and express their ideas in a supportive environment. I hold students to high standards, yet flexibility is also important. I’m always learning and growing as an educator. This means constantly researching and learning about best pedagogical classroom practices.

“This also means pivoting when ideas don’t go as planned and coming up with new lessons and strategies. I am always on the lookout for ways to improve my classes to better achieve course goals. I believe that educational spaces, including my classroom, are enhanced by students of diverse backgrounds and that their voices enrich class discussion and academia as a whole.”

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Janie Dvorak: Student perspective

Age: 18
Hometown: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
Current residence: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Homeschooled, Class of 2024
Major and degree earning at Inver Hills: Associate of Arts (A.A.)
Extracurricular activities at Inver Hills: Inver Hills Choir
Transfer plans: Point University, West Point, Georgia
Career plans: Business management and leadership

“She has been the most organized, helpful, and communicative instructor I have had out of all my other instructors!! I know that I can count on her for help whenever—she will always make time for you, and for every assignment that I do from her, she provides extremely clear instructions. For every assignment she gives, I hardly have to ask any questions, and if I do need to ask a question, she is so kind and understanding to answer it.

“Some other instructors often make you feel stupid for asking a question that may seem dumb to them, but Elizabeth does not ever question whether it’s valid to her, and she respects you. I took an on-campus class with her last semester and an online class with her this semester, so I definitely think she should win this award!”

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Bradley Wishart: Student perspective

Age: 19
Hometown: Sicily, Italy
Current residence: Burnsville, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Burnsville High School, Class of 2024
Major and degree earning at Inver Hills: Engineering Fundamentals Associate of Science (A.S.)
Extracurricular activities at Inver Hills: Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Transfer plans: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
Career plans: Business management and leadership

“Elizabeth is the kindest, sweetest soul I’ve met. She has a teaching style that is comfortable for almost anyone. She has a beautiful mindset and has the power to make anyone feel welcome in her classroom.

“I never liked English classes until I met Elizabeth. She has the most beautiful soul and way of teaching and has singlehandedly made me a better writer and student. She deserves the world and more recognition! She would do things like check up on me when she knew I was having a hard time—and I never got that treatment even in high school. She’d email after classes if I looked down just to make sure I was okay. She’s just so amazing, and I wish I could have one of her classes each semester.”

Elizabeth Kellett • Q & A

What inspired you to choose teaching English as your career focus?

I started college with the intention of going into medicine. After taking composition, I was asked to tutor in the Writing Center at North Hennepin, and I continued to work in the Writing Center when I transferred to SCSU. I learned through tutoring that I love working with students and helping them improve their writing. I decided to major in English (emphasis Literature and Writing) and minor in Psychology to still get some science in there! After all my years of Writing Center work, I couldn’t imagine not continuing to work with students and guide them in their writing.

What do you like best about the field of English?

The variety! Writing encompasses everything from technical writing to rhetorical writing to creative writing! The study of literature can include poetry, short stories, nonfiction, folklore, drama, and more! Diversity is what makes it such a fascinating field.

What advice would you give college students who wish to expand and improve their composition skills?

Read and write nearly every day! Reading helps you to learn style, tone, and different approaches to the craft. It also allows you to study vocabulary and grammar in context. Writing can include essays, journals, poems, free writing, and anything in between. Get comfortable doing a little bit of reading and writing every day, even when you don’t feel like it. This helps you develop discipline and confidence.

Three words that describe you as a college educator:
SUPPORTIVE. COLLABORATIVE. COMMITTED.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring first-generation students?

Being a first-generation college graduate myself, I love getting to know other first-gen students and taking the opportunity to encourage them. I was exactly where they are now—a first-gen college student at a community college! Sometimes all they need is one other person to believe in them.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

This is an impossible question to answer! I love so many writers for so many different reasons. My favorite contemporary writer is Andrea Gibson. They describe the human experience in beautiful and poignant ways.

What person has influenced your life the most and why?

My parents have greatly influenced me as a person and as an educator. I grew up in a large family, and they did an excellent job of encouraging the unique gifts of each individual. They taught me the value of hard work and the importance of being a lifelong learner.

If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?

An end to poverty.

One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:

ENRICHING

Elizabeth Kellett • 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Hiking
2. Place you would most like to visit: Greece
3. Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I don’t think anything can top the excitement (and horror!) of giving birth.
4. Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Take my entire family (I’m one of 11 children) on an amazing vacation. 2) Travel the world. 3) Start a foundation to give college scholarships to marginalized students and young parents.
5. Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Recent favorites include Go as a River by Shelley Read, You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith, and All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitakerș
6. Time period you would explore if you could time travel: I would go back about 16 years and spend more time with my brother before his passing.
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: To raise my children to be good people.
8. Your national bird if you were your own country: Snowy owl
9. Dream occupation: I’m in it! If I wasn’t in this job, I’d probably be in the medical field.
10. Person you would most like to meet: Joan of Arc
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Play the violin
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Climate change and a lack of recognizing the humanity of others

Learn more about attending Inver Hills by contacting:

Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
866-576-0689
College Center

• Want more information? Fill out an inquiry form.
• Ready to apply? Fill out an application.
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• Can’t make it to campus? Take our virtual tour.

Want to connect with an advisor? Check out our virtual drop-in hours or email admissions@inverhills.edu to request a campus-based or phone appointment.

English at Inver Hills

English courses at Inver Hills prepare you to think critically and write academically about a wide range of topics. Our courses not only fulfill five goals in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), but also help you develop the writing and literary skills you need to succeed in your future collegiate and career endeavors.

The new English Transfer Pathway A.A. is a powerful degree for students who aim to major in English and transfer to a four-year college or university.

The Workplace Writing certificate will help you enhance your written communication competence and understanding. Writing expertise is highly valued by employers in a multitude of fields.

Awards

English Transfer Pathway Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree: Credits: 60
Workplace Writing certificate: Credits: 13

English Program Planning Guide

Why Study English at Inver Hills?

Dive into the miraculous world of literature.
Our English department offers nearly 30 courses that range from Fiction Writing to American Literature to Mythic Stories to Contemporary Fiction to Women in Literature to The Novel. Completing English courses is required for virtually every degree. Whatever your focus of interest, we’ve got you covered.

Upgrade your capacity to write like an expert and do sound research.
Competency in writing and research are essential skills in both college and almost any career field. Completing our Writing and Research Skills course will get you to the level you need to be.

Elegance ruled by concision is the foundation of solid writing.
Our course on Style and Correctness for Writers will be your ticket to proficiency in all your written communications.

Add professionalism to your writing know-how.
After completing our Writing and Research for the Professions, you’ll grasp the mechanics of research proposals, feasibility studies, audience analysis, and business writing while enhancing your research and evaluative skills.

Take your newfound writing skills online.
Our Writing for the Web course will teach you how to tailor your writing to wikis, blogs, multimodal essays, discussion forums, and more while incorporating images, links, audio, and/or video. You’ll study the elements of web page design and the best way to present information in a succinct and appealing style.

Let’s get technical.
Taking our Introduction to Technical Writing course will get you up to speed on developing, writing, and presenting information in a technical environment. You will learn how to employ graphics to boost visual appeal and usability. You’ll also investigate ways to use technology to better deliver your message to your audience.

Bring your thoughts and ideas to light.
Writing revs up your brain and expands your imagination. Knowing how to write with skill and confidence gives you the power to always put your best words forward.

Career Opportunities

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Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society at Inver Hills

Phi Theta Kappa is an invitation-based honor society for two-year colleges. The Alpha Omicron Beta chapter at Inver Hills Community College welcomes all eligible students to accept their membership and get involved! The international overall success rate of PTK members is 91 percent. That’s more than double the success rates of other community colleges students.

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to recognize and promote student academic achievement. PTK provides opportunities to cultivate professional and leadership skills, secure scholarships, explore diverse career paths, and build a network of supportive peers and trusted advisors that last a lifetime. They focus on four hallmarks which include- leadership, fellowship, service, and scholarship.

Requirements

• Complete 12 credits at Inver Hills Community College
• Cumulative GPA average of 3.25
• Earn a 3.5 GPA in at least one semester

Once you meet the requirements, you will be invited by the end of the third week of the following semester (fall and spring).

Scholarships

Joining PTK means access to scholarships to help you finish your education. We have resources to help you apply for scholarships, including ones outside of PTK. There are hundreds of millions of dollars in university partner transfer scholarships and over $1 million in competitive scholarships available annually. Your membership gets you exclusive access to these PTK-only scholarships and transfer opportunities at four-year colleges.

PTK scholarship opportunities are organized into three types- competitive scholarships, need-based scholarship, and university partner scholarships (aka transfer scholarships).  PTK has partnered with over 850 four-year colleges and universities to offer these transfer scholarships.  You can learn more about PTK scholarships on their scholarship page.

The College Project and Honors in Action

PTK focuses on two major projects, Honors in Action and the College Project. In Honors in Action, chapters identify and research a theme from the current Honors Study Topic and an issue on campus or in the larger community. They take that research and create a plan of action that meets the specific need of the community. The College Project aims to foster a collaborative relationship between the chapter and college administration by identifying the campus’s needs to support its mission and developing a project to address those need.

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