Sharon Pajka

• Ph.D. in English Education from the University of Virginia
• Masters of Arts in Secondary English Education from Gallaudet University
• Graduate Certificate in Public History from the University of Richmond
• Bachelors of Arts in English and Religious Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University

Sharon Pajka is the Director of Distance Education and a Professor in the Department of English. She has recently taught ENG 367: Ghost Stories and Haunted History, ENG 355: Literature by Women, and ENG 375: Media Literacy.

She holds a Ph.D. in English Education from the University of Virginia. Her doctoral research focused on the portrayals and perceptions of Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature. Her research blog on the topic can be found here: http://pajka.blogspot.com/. Dr. Pajka completed a graduate program in Public History at the University of Richmond. 

Recent publications include:

1. Women Writers Buried in Virginia (2021) The History Press/ Arcadia Publishing (Charleston, SC)
2. The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: Graves of His Family, Friends and Foes ,The History Press/ Arcadia Publishing (Charleston, SC), one of the winners of the 2024 Saturday Visiter Awards by Poe Baltimore in the "Adaptation of Poe's Life or Works" category. 
3. Haunted Virginia Cemeteries (2025) The History Press/ Arcadia Publishing (Charleston, SC)

On the weekends, you can find her in the cemetery volunteering, giving history tours, and researching and writing about cemeteries. Find more information, visit her website: https://www.sharonpajka.com/