Four distinguished faculty members recently received promotion to full professor, a significant milestone recognizing their dedication to higher education: Craig Choma ’93, theatre; Cyn Kitchen ’00, English; Brandon Polite ’02, philosophy; and Barbara Tannert-Smith, English.

“These faculty exemplify the commitment to teaching, scholarly and creative work, and service at the heart of faculty life at Knox College,” Provost and Dean of the College Michael Schneider said. “The promotion celebrates their many accomplishments and recognizes the high regard in which they are held by their peers.”

Professor of Theatre Craig Choma ’93

Craig Choma received two Master of Fine Arts degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College. He has been teaching at Knox since 1996, specializing in scenic and lighting design. His work as a theatrical designer centers on making stories visible and resonant through scenery, lighting, and props, often collaborating with students on professional productions. Choma regularly designs in Chicago and beyond, bringing real-world experiences back to his teaching. His lighting and scenic designs have been featured in various festivals and productions around the country, showcasing his innovative approach to theatrical storytelling.

Professor of English Cyn Kitchen ’00

Cyn Kitchen has taught fiction, creative non-fiction writing, and literature at Knox College since 2006. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Spalding University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College. In addition to writing fiction and essays, she has had more than 30 poems published since the pandemic in nationally distributed publications. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee as well as the 2023 Best of the Web anthology series. Her first book of poems, Broken Hallelujah, has been a book award finalist three times. She is the author of Ten Tongues, a collection of short stories, and has written several essays that are included in magazines and anthologies. Her work reflects the ever-evolving natural world and seeks to create connections between her lived experience and the slippery complexities of perception and memory. 

Professor of Philosophy Brandon Polite ’03

Brandon Polite has taught philosophy at Knox College since the winter of 2008. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his B.A. from Knox College. Polite specializes in aesthetics, with an emphasis on the philosophy of music. He is the editor of Taylor Swift and the Philosophy of Re-recording: The Art of Taylor's Versions, which will be published by Bloomsbury in January 2025. His research has been published in various journals, including the British Journal of Aesthetics, and showcased in conferences around the world. He is also the host of the YouTube series (and soon-to-be podcast) Polite Conversations: Philosophers Discussing Art. Polite is active in the Knox community, serving as a faculty advisor for multiple student organizations. He received the Faculty Exceptional Achievement Award in 2021–2022.

Professor of English Barbara Tannert-Smith

Barbara Tannert-Smith, a faculty member at Knox College since 1997, teaches creative writing and children's literature. She holds a BA and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts. Tannert-Smith has published articles in Children’s Literature, CHLA, International Research in Children’s Literature, and other journals, and presented her work at literature conferences around the country, including the Children's Literature Association Conference. She is also active in the Knox community, most recently serving on the College Honors Board and Student Activities Committee.

All promotions come into effect on September 1, 2024.