My name is Penny O’Neal and I graduated from UHCL with both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Literature. I chose UHCL to do my graduate work because I was familiar with and respected the faculty. I knew I could count on Dr. White and Dr. Mieszkowski to challenge my writing and Dr. McCall to teach me to think deeper and more analytically in my analysis of texts. I appreciated the more intimate class sizes and the expertise of the entire faculty. I also had the opportunity to be a Teacher’s Assistant to both Dr. Mieszkowski and Dr. Day. The knowledge I gained on grading and lecturing helped immensely in my career goals. I am now a faculty member at San Jacinto Junior College and am continuing my educational goals by working on my Ph.D. at UH-main campus. I am profoundly aware that my success and the sturdy foundation my education is built on would not be what it is if it were not for the instruction and friendship I received at UHCL from the faculty.