Sandra Govan

Professor Sandra Govan became a member of UNC Charlotte's English faculty in 1983. She holds degrees from Valparaisio University, Bowling Green State University and Emory University.

During her 18 years on the faculty, Govan has taught a variety of courses and been instrumental in establishing the university's minor in African-American literature. She says that throughout her teaching career, she has seldom consciously thought about her philosophical approach to teaching. In her words, she is "…. a 'seat-of-the-pants' teacher; that is to say, I will use whatever learning device works, whatever pedagogical tool, from jive talk to the quiet office visit, that helps motivate a student to learn, to engage in the learning process. Typically, my classes are active, boisterous, sometimes loud on occasion. I think learning should not be a passive affair--rather, it is passionate, it is active, it is aggressive, and exciting."