Three Seminole State College language arts and humanities professors presented at the 2023 Southwest Popular and American Culture Conference during the week of Feb. 21-25. The mission of the SWPACA is to promote an innovative and nontraditional academic movement in humanities and social sciences celebrating America’s cultural heritages. The annual conference provides an outlet for scholars, writers, and others interested in popular/American culture to share ideas in a professional atmosphere and increase awareness and improve public perceptions of America’s cultural traditions and diverse populations.

Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz, author of “Ronin,” which was nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award in 2022, read from his most recent prose poetry collection; “Inner Life of Comics.” The collection was published by Turning Plow Press in the fall 2022. Associate Professor of English Yasminda Choate read her most recent non-fiction humor essay, “Please Don’t Call Me Pretty,” and Associate Professor of English Dr. Andrew Davis presented his academic research, “Transnational Queer Cinema and Its Audiences: Analyzing Circumstance and Its Marketing and Reception.” In addition to their representation of SSC with well-received presentations, the three attended sessions throughout the week, learning about recent scholarship in popular culture and pedagogy within the humanities. Their participation in the conference was generously funded through the faculty professional development fund.