Hidden in the art building, you can find Dr. Meghan Flynn.
Professor Meghan Flynn is a new professor in the art department, who has her graduate degree in painting and drawing. With nine years of teaching experience behind her, she is looking forward to teaching full-time at Northwestern.
Growing up in Hartley, Iowa, the private college is not an unknown institution.
“My first time actually attending Northwestern College’s campus was when I was six years old,” Flynn said. “My kindergarten class attended the Cinderella play that the theatre department put on for the community.”
For as long as she could remember, Flynn wanted to be an artist. Her parents were both teachers, and it inspired her to teach at some sort of education level. After graduating from Hartley High School, she attended Iowa State University to achieve an undergraduate degree in drawing.
“I decided that I wanted to teach art at a college level in my very first semester,” Flynn said. “My first drawing class at Iowa State University was so much fun, and I knew that was what I wanted to do! Washington State University offered a teaching assistantship, so that’s where I decided to go after ISU.”
After graduating with her graduate degree in painting and drawing, Dr. Flynn taught at several colleges – Washington State, Yakima Valley in Washington, University of Wisconsin, Iowa Western, and Bellevue University in Omaha. During the momentous year of 2020, Flynn was living in Omaha, teaching drawing online for Bellevue University and working as an assistant teacher at a Montessori Childcare Facility.
“With teaching drawing online, I had to do a ‘social thing’ to keep my sanity,” Flynn said. “I never taught preschoolers before, but it was so fun!”
In 2021, Flynn has enjoyed teaching at Northwestern full-time and getting to know her students. Freshman Jessica McCubbin is currently taking Flynn’s drawing course and has appreciated Flynn’s passion for art within the classroom.
“She is very kind, understanding and an easy person to talk to if I have questions or anything,” McCubbin said. “She inspires me to explore different methods of practicing art, so I can have different channels to express myself or a concept. She has a free range of expression, whether it be in her clothing style or how personable she is to her students.”
The community on campus persuaded Flynn to apply. Flynn taught at quite a few other places, but the community aspect doesn’t compare to them.
“Faculty and students have been so friendly and going out of their way to make her feel welcome,” Flynn said. “It feels like everyone is making a point to introduce themselves, ask how I’m doing, or offering to help if I need anything”.
Flynn’s art has received numerous awards including juror’s choice, director’s choice and first place awards at juried shows in states that include Washington, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Ohio. Flynn brings qualities such as time spent studying art in Rome, her favorite medium of chalk pastel and enjoyment of portrait painting.
