Suzanne M. Bessenger

Suzanne M. Bessenger, PhD, serves as the Barbara Boyle Lemon '57 and William J. Lemon Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Randolph College, where professional experience includes roles as Associate Professor in both the Department of Comparative Philosophy and the Department of Religious Studies, as well as Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies since August 2011. Prior positions include Cataloging and Bibliographic Assistant for the Tibetan and Himalayan Digital Library at the University of Virginia, Visiting Instructor in Asian Religions at William & Mary, and Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellow through the Fulbright Association. Educational qualifications include a BA with Honors in Anthropology & Asian Studies from Mills College, a semester abroad in Tibetan Studies from the School for International Training, a Master's degree in History of Religions, and a PhD in History of Religions, both from the University of Virginia. Early career experience includes teaching elementary science at Hayward Unified School District.