Hometown: Paris, Illinois
Degrees earned: M.A. in English, Northern Illinois University; B.A. in English, Southern Illinois University
Arrived at NIU: 1996 (as graduate student)
Classes taught: Rhetoric and Composition
More Faculty Profiles
What’s your mission in academia?
To ensure that students are properly prepared for writing throughout their college years and beyond.
What’s in your job description?
Creating syllabi and lesson plans for four First Year Composition courses each semester. Our courses meet once per week in the computer labs, so I’m also responsible to some degree for teaching computer literacy, and I tutor my students one-on-one when necessary.
How did you become interested in your subject area?
As an undergraduate student, I studied theatre. When I realized that I didn’t want to spend my life waiting tables, I decided to switch my studies to another passion of mine, literature.
What do students learn from you?
How to strengthen their writing skills without losing their unique voices.
What makes your class interesting?
I try to pick recent issues as the theme of a course. For example, two of my English 105 sections covered the war in Iraq.
What kinds of things do your graduates do?
Everything! Because First Year Composition is a gen. ed. course, I get the opportunity to interact with students from all majors. Every so often I’ll get an email from a former student thanking me for pushing him/her to understand the significance of writing in any career.
What is your favorite aspect of your subject? Why?
As a writing instructor, I have the privilege of working closely with my students. Whether they are recent high school graduates or have waited a few years to pursue their degrees, first-year college students are enthusiastic learners. I find that they revitalize me and energize the classroom.
What’s a good book you recently read?
"War Reporting for Cowards" by Chris Ayres
What’s your best advice to students who want to succeed?
When you have decided on your major, get involved in that department. Get to know the professors and instructors. You'll make connections that will forever impact your future.
Photos by Don Butler, NIU Media Services