Liz Peeples has been an instructor in the Humanities Department since 2008. In that time, she has primarily taught American Studies. As an American Studies instructor, she is interested in the intersections of nature, self, and community, and leading her students to a fuller and more nuanced understanding of American history and its connection to the present day. She is also interested in exploring the intersections of political, social, and personal identities and movements, especially those related to disadvantaged groups. In bringing these interests to teaching, she helps students learn to consider their world more closely and intellectually, and with a greater awareness and care. Since 2017, she has also taught Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has also developed and facilitated a number of January Term courses, including four years in Costa Rica, during which she led 18 students each year in service learning projects, hiking, and an exploration of the complicated nature of ecotourism; and four years in the North Carolina Mountains, during which they studied our relationship with nature. In 2018, Liz led Amplify! Youth Voices and the Future, a collaboration between NCSSM and the City of Durham. In 2018-2019, she received one of two NCSSM Outstanding Teaching Awards. She is a National Geographic Certified Educator and also serves as the NCSSM Scholarship Committee Coordinator and the Humanities Department Events and Awards Coordinator. Prior to coming to NCSSM, Liz taught AP Language and Composition and Journalism at Wakefield High School 2000-2008 and a variety of courses at John T. Hoggard High School 1997-2000.

BS, cum laude, Educational Studies and English, Vanderbilt University

MA, Liberal Studies, Duke University