Stanley-Allen's dreams of making difference come true at SPC

by Taylor Charters, staff writer

all photos by Amber Henderson

Every once in a while, you come across an instructor who, every time you walk into his or her classroom, captivates you.   

The instructor teaches with such passion that you no longer just roll out of bed and drag yourself to class, only to arrive and begin counting the minutes until you can be back in your bed doing anything but thinking about school. Rather, you are excited to be there because this instructor has taught you to have the same passion. Although few and far between, South Plains College has its fair share. Stephanie Stanley-Allen is, without a doubt, one of them.       

A West Texas native, Allen grew up with the dream of someday making a difference. Somewhat unsure of what she wanted to do, she started college at South Plains as a pre-law major. After taking three speech classes from an instructor who is now her co-worker, she found her passion.

Allen graduated from SPC with an Associate’s degree in speech. She then continued on to Texas Tech University, where she completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a minor in mass communications. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Allen continued on to get a master’s degree in communication studies at Texas Tech.      

While fulfilling her master’s degree requirements, Allen started teaching. She became a teaching assistant at Texas Tech and taught her own Honors class in speech for half of a semester.

As a student at SPC, Allen stayed very involved in campus life. She kept herself busy by holding positions as student president of Phi Theta Kappa, Campus Ambassador, and president of the Student Government Association. Now that she is an employee,

it is no different. In addition to teaching five sections of Business and Professional Speech, she is also the co-advisor for Phi Theta Kappa.        

 In the small amount of spare time she has, Allen loves to spend time with her 20-month-old son, Graden, and the rest of her family. She also enjoys going to Texas Tech football games.       

Deciding to become a teacher was an easy choice for Allen.

“I learned so much when I was in school,” Allen says. “ I guess I just wanted to give something back, and I can use my classroom as a tool for motivation.”                

Teaching allows her to do what she’s passionate about. It allows her to motivate not only her students, but her co-workers as well.

When asked if she had any advice for college students, she responded, “I think the best advice I could give would be to listen to your teachers, because they know what they are talking about. Even if you don’t like the class, you can still learn. And enjoy college!”     

Allen has soared above and beyond her youthful dreams of making a difference. She has impacted hundreds of people, a group that includes many more than just her students.     So, if you ever find yourself sitting in front of Allen during a speech class that you are required to take, rather than complain about an upcoming assignment, consider yourself lucky to have the opportunity to be taught by such an outstanding individual.

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