Dr. Shelley Armstrong

Interesting personal fact: Dr. Armstrong ran a 7:15 per mile pace for 26.2 miles in the 2004 Houston Marathon; a pace that was faster than 98 percent of all women and 95 percent of all the men that competed in the race. She also qualified and competed in the 2004 Boston Marathon.

Dr. Armstrong began her career here, first as a student, graduating in 2000, followed by her Master of Arts in teaching in 2003. She returned in 2004 as a full-time facility member, and is now the Interim Chair of the Department and the head men and women’s cross country team coach. It was the Centenary Experience that brought her back.

"I believe the Centenary Experience is different for each person, which is what makes Centenary unique," says Dr. Armstrong. "What made my experience at Centenary as a student was a superb education, an advisor who went overboard to help me asses my strengths and to reach my goals. Each person has the ability to create their own distinctive experience through various options of campus and community involvement."

She carries that first-hand knowledge into the classroom and is passionate about educating students about their health and wellness, and enabling them to make personal changes in order to have a more balanced and productive lives.

"The biggest reward for me is when former students contact me to discuss how their Centenary education has opened doors and for them to be able to achieve their ultimate goals."

What does she cherish most about the College? "It would be the time I get to spend in the classroom. I believe my role at Centenary is to educate (and to be educated), to empower (and be empowered), to challenge (and be challenged), and to pursue excellence for everyone on campus."

Dr. Armstrong also sees herself as a role model to her students both in and out of the classroom. She believes that a good professor provides a success-oriented classroom environment, is a good communicator, is passionate about what they do, and provides diverse learning experiences.

"The small teacher to student ratio is one of the best things about Centenary. I have the ability to have an interactive role with my students and support them as they compete at the highest levels of competition, whether that is sports related, performance related such as in the choir or theatre, or honors research projects. I want the student to be focused on the journey of education, not just the final journey. That’s why I’m here!"