Spotlight date | March 25, 2025

Exploring literary worlds and ideas

Word of the day: bibliophile.

Meaning: A lover of books.

Used in a sentence: As a bibliophile, Alana Rowan found her future in the study of literature.

With her mother’s influence, Rowan’s childhood was filled with the magic of stories.

“My mom is an English teacher. She teaches elementary school English. She teaches fourth and fifth grade. She always instilled a love of reading in me and my sister growing up. She would read to us Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein every night,” Rowan said. “So, whenever it came to decide on what I wanted to do, English was kind of a no brainer for me.”

Having uncovered her appreciation for the written word, Rowan majored in literature at Missouri State.

Now, she is starting the next chapter in her academic journey by pursuing an English master’s degree with an emphasis in literature.

Her bachelor’s degree is in the books

Having felt disconnected from her former school, Rowan transferred to Missouri State in her junior year.

“Transferring to Missouri State was the best decision that I’ve ever made. It completely transformed my life and everything that I wanted for myself.”

Over the course of her time at MSU, Rowan has had several opportunities to expand her perspectives in English.

In the summer before her graduate studies, she participated in the Springfield Way Internship Program.

Through this six-week experience, she developed her technical writing skills while collaborating with local nonprofits, like the Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness.

Rowan has also been able to attend three academic conferences (one undergraduate and two graduate).

“I would definitely say for anybody in graduate school or considering graduate school that going to conferences is a really great way of seeing the research that other people in your field are doing,” she said. “And it also gives you a really great opportunity to network and to work on presentation skills and public speaking skills. And then it also gives you a really great opportunity to get advice about how to work on your research and strengthen it.”

Words of encouragement from her mentors

In 2023, Rowan completed her bachelor’s degree.

With no career plans yet, she sought guidance from her former advisor, Dr. Alan Tinkler.

Giving her the push she needed, Tinkler reaffirmed Rowan’s desire to earn a master’s degree.

Having a support system at MSU has been a driving force in her academic success.

“I feel like both the English department and the Graduate College give me all the information that I need whenever I need it, and they make everything really accessible in a way that I really appreciate.”

Her literature professor, Dr. Matt Calihman, has made considerable efforts to pave the way for Rowan to pursue her passion for literature.

From reviewing Rowan’s PhD applications to securing her a teaching position in his literature class, Calihman has shown unwavering support to help Rowan reach her potential.

“Having him as a guide has also really helped me, because I know that I have someone advocating for me in the English department who I trust and who I really respect.”

Foreshadowing a career in the classroom

As a graduate assistant (GA), Rowan has appreciated the opportunity to teach in her field of interest (literature), since many of the other GAs teach composition courses.

One of her favorite things about Missouri State has been her time getting to share opportunities with like-minded peers who have similar goals.

While recently nominated for a teaching assistant (TA) award, she gives credit to her peers, admiring that she and the other TAs have different teaching styles and are, in some ways, teaching each other.

Upon graduating with her master’s in May 2025, she plans to earn her PhD and continue gaining teaching experience as an aspiring literature professor.

Her primary interest is African American literature in the 20th century, focusing on the Harlem Renaissance and civil rights era.

Nearing the end of her master’s program, she encourages others to cherish the moments that help them find their passion.

“I guess if I had to say a word of advice for graduate school, I would say to just enjoy it while you can. It goes by really quickly,” Rowan said. “Just really appreciate those friendships and those connections that you make and use them to propel you forward into the future, but also just make sure that you’re appreciating the present as well.”