Jason Vasser-Elong

Dr. Jason Vasser-Elong [Vassir--Eh-long] is an applied anthropologist, artist and arts advocate. He earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Practice from the College of Education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL), where he also earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology, with a focus in African Diaspora studies.

As a practitioner, Dr. Elong has created curricula for education professionals, non-profit organizations, and courses that satisfy general education diversity requirements. His courses “Rhyme & Reason: African American Poets in Dialogue with Notions of Slavery, Identity, and Existence” and “Allies, Spies, and Secret Friends”, continue to be popular choices for students.

His most recent awards include the (1) Focus on Teaching & Technology Award for Instruction (2) The University of Missouri South African Education Program Fellowship, and (3) the Regional Arts Commission Artist Support Grant for research he conducted in Biscayne National Park with Diving With a Purpose.

Posts by This Author

Arts-based Pedagogy: More than a Creative Approach to Teaching

Teaching Tools

Arts-based Pedagogy: More than a Creative Approach to Teaching

Art is more than the act of singing a song, drawing a picture, or writing a poem. It is a tool that unlocks the potential within. Researchers Susan Magsamen and... More