Heather Mitchell-Buck is an Associate Professor of English and the Digital Learning Coordinator at Hood College in Frederick, MD, where she teaches courses in early period British literature and cultural studies. This semester (Fall 2026), she’s teaching two general education courses (medieval romance; good & evil in literature and culture), and an upper-level seminar on the history of the English language.
She earned her PhD in English from Duke University in 2009. Her primary research interests have been inspired by the symbiotic relationships among drama, politics, and identity in one of history’s most socially transgressive genres: early English vernacular drama. Her current research focuses on the ways that medieval English Biblical plays are adapted for and presented to modern audiences.
Heather lives just outside Frederick with her husband Terry and tabby cat Maisie. On the occasions when she finds some spare time (usually under the sofa cushions), she enjoys playing and teaching taiko (big Japanese drums), “studying” fans and their reading practices, drinking tea, and writing about herself in the third person. She’s also a Linux user who is still occasionally surprised by the fact that she is an Apple Distinguished Educator.
influence map
None of us think, read, or write in the same way; each of us has been shaped by a myriad of influences.
When we struggle with difficult coursework or research, it’s easy to feel frustrated and forget why we are working so hard. An influence map is a guide for those challenging moments.
Check out my map below … and then go make your own so that you can have a little inspiration at those times when you need it the most!
