Honors Staff

Dr. Jennifer Conary earned her Ph.D. at the University of Southern California in 2008. She specializes in Victorian literature and culture, with particular interests in social problem fiction, women writers and writing about women, the periodical press, and popular fiction. She has published articles on works by Benjamin Disraeli, Charles Dickens, George Gissing, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, and George W. M. Reynolds. Dr. Conary currently serves as the vice president of the International G. W. M Reynolds Society, of which she was a founding member. Her current research projects focus on Reynolds's fiction and journalism and Victorian working-class women's periodicals. Dr. Conary regularly teaches courses in the English department on British literature of the long nineteenth century, Gothic literature, Victorian women writers, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens, as well as courses in the Honors Program on world literature and fantasy literature from the fin de siècle. She was the recipient of the 2018 College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2018 Gerald D. Paetsch Academic Advising Award.

Priscilla Bautista is a proud Double Demon, having earned a BSC in Business Administration with a minor in Latin American and Latino Studies, and an MBA in Marketing and Sports Management from DePaul University. Prior to joining the Honors Program, she advised undeclared, exploratory, and newly admitted transfer students from all colleges at DePaul. Priscilla advises Honors students in the College of Science and Health and Transfer Honors students in all colleges. She serves as the advisor to Honors Student Government and leads the Honors Mentor program, Affinity Mentor program, and all co-curricular initiatives in the Honors Program. A member of Alpha Psi Lambda, Inc., the first co-ed Latino interest fraternity, she also serves as advisor to DePaul’s undergraduate chapter. In her spare time, you can find Priscilla at a house music fest, possibly spinning some tunes herself, and cheering on the Chicago White Sox with her dog Southpaw.

Dr. Keith Mikos earned his Ph.D. in English at the University of Minnesota and his B.A. in philosophy from DePaul. He is the recipient of DePaul’s 2018 LAS Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2016 LAS/Art Institute of Chicago Innovation in Teaching Award. Dr. Mikos’s research and teaching combine literary analysis with philosophy, psychology, science, history, and the visual arts. He also researches Honors-oriented pedagogy, provides teaching support to Honors faculty, and maintains the Honors Program pedagogy database. A dedicated teacher and advisor, Dr. Mikos works closely with Honors students in the College of Computing and Digital Media, the School of Music, and the Theatre School.

Melanie Doweiko is currently working on their MFA in Creative Writing; they will be graduating in Spring 2024. They love to write and analyze sci-fi and fantasy, and they hope to have a publishable novel by the time they graduate. They are the Honors Program Assistant and have enjoyed being a Staff Professional for Honors Chicago Quarter classes.