OBU Announces Faculty Appointments in Language and Literature Division

Oklahoma Baptist University has announced three appointments to its Division of Language and Literature, strengthening its programs in English, literature, composition and creative writing.

Dr. Jonathan Callis joins the division as associate professor of English and British literature, Dr. Matthew A. Mullin joins as assistant professor of English and British literature and Peter Biles joins as assistant professor of English and creative writing. Together, these appointments expand the division’s capacity to serve students while supporting OBU’s commitment to academic excellence and Christian higher education.

Callis joins OBU as associate professor of English and British literature. His responsibilities include teaching undergraduate courses in British literature and composition, contributing to curriculum development, participating in division and university service and supporting the academic mission of the Division of Language and Literature. He previously served on the OBU faculty from 2015 to 2021 before pursuing academic leadership opportunities in classical Christian education. Most recently, he served as Academic Dean at Westminster Academy in Memphis, Tennessee, where he oversaw professional development, curricular alignment, teacher training and accreditation initiatives.

Callis earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in English, magna cum laude, from Rhodes College. His scholarship focuses on eighteenth-century British literature, Renaissance literature and the intersection of literature, faith and culture. During his previous service at OBU, he taught British literature, composition, Western Civilization and honors courses while contributing to curriculum development, faculty governance and the university’s Honors Program.

Biles joins the faculty as assistant professor of English and creative writing. His responsibilities include teaching composition, literature and creative writing courses, mentoring student writers, supporting literary initiatives and contributing to the continued growth of OBU’s writing programs. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Seattle Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing from Wheaton College.

An accomplished novelist, essayist and educator, Biles has taught composition courses at East Central University, Seminole State College and OBU. He is the author of several books, including What the Tree Saw: Short Fictions (2026), Last November: Short Stories (2025), Through the Eye of Old Man Kyle (2024), Hillbilly Hymn (2022) and Keep & Other Stories (2022). His writing has appeared in publications such as WORLD Magazine, Plough, Front Porch Republic, The Dispatch, The Gospel Coalition and The American Spectator. Biles brings both professional writing experience and a passion for mentoring emerging writers, enriching OBU’s growing programs in creative writing and composition.

Mullin joins OBU as assistant professor of English. His responsibilities include teaching British literature, composition and related English courses, contributing to curriculum development, engaging in scholarly activity and supporting the Division of Language and Literature through service and professional engagement. He joins OBU after completing his Ph.D. in English Literature at the University of Notre Dame. He also holds a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from West Texas A&M University.

His teaching and research focus on early modern British literature, Shakespeare studies, disability studies and performance studies. Mullin has taught composition, literature and writing courses at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Mississippi and Holy Cross College. In addition to his classroom experience, he has served as Managing Editor of Religion & Literature and as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Shakespeare at Notre Dame. His scholarship has been presented at national and international conferences, including the British Graduate Shakespeare Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

The Division of Language and Literature at OBU prepares students in literature, composition, creative writing, linguistics, TESOL and world languages, including Spanish, French, German and American Sign Language, equipping graduates to serve in education, writing, publishing, ministry, business, language studies and cross-cultural engagement around the world.