Rate My Professor Debra Thornton

Debra Lynn Thornton is a Professor in the Department of English & Literature at Utah Valley University, where she joined the faculty in 1998. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Brigham Young University-Provo, and a Ph.D. in American Literature from the University of New Mexico, completed in 1999. Thornton has been dedicated to teaching since 1988, aligning fully with UVU's teaching mission by advocating for the proliferation of learning communities on campus. Her academic interests center on English literature, particularly literature of the sacred and 19th-century American literature. She teaches a range of courses, including Introduction to Academic Writing (ENGL 1010), Intermediate Academic Writing (ENGL 2010), Advanced Editing and Design for Print Media (ENGL 3050), Literature of the Sacred (ENGL 3740G), and Directed Readings (ENGL 4900R).

Thornton plays a significant role in student mentorship and scholarly publishing at UVU. She serves as Faculty Advisor for the Journal of International Security and Strategic Studies, published by the Center for National Security Studies. Additionally, she acts as Consulting Editor for Crescat Scientia, the annual journal of the Department of History and Political Science. Her editing expertise has supported numerous student-led publications, including Essais, an undergraduate journal of literary criticism; Untold; Touchstones: UVU's Journal of Literature and Art; and contributions to the Journal of Student Leadership. Thornton's guidance in editing classes has empowered students to produce high-quality academic work. In 2004, she was honored with the HASS Outstanding Faculty Member award by the UVU Alumni Association on April 29, recognizing her exceptional contributions to teaching and student development within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.