Aleshia (Showen ‘85) O’Neal will join the York College faculty this fall as an assistant professor of English.

​O’Neal previously served at Harding University, where she taught first and second year writing courses. Prior to that, she has also taught a range of subjects in middle schools and high schools in Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri.



O’Neal holds degrees in English from York College, Abilene Christian University, and Harding University. She is currently a PhD student at Arkansas State University in the Heritage Studies Program, which she plans to complete in 2019. Her dissertation topic is “Charlie May Simon: Hearing the Voice of Ozark Folklore in Arkansas.”

O’Neal and her husband Stephen have three adult children. Her hobbies include writing, singing, hiking with family, and riding a motorcycle with her husband.