I teach Literatures of the World and the interdisciplinary, team-taught First Year Inquiry course in PsTL 1525W.  I am interested in the ways that literature can illuminate parts of the world, perspectives and experiences that we otherwise might not come in contact with, but also how literature can take us deeper into understanding  our own experiences, choices and identity.  My background in writing informs my thinking about reading and teaching literature, exploring the ways readers and writers interact with texts, and through this interaction make meaning.  Since one of the goals of a University education is to develop strong communication skills, I find it useful to analyze a piece of literature as a series of choices a writer makes in order to communicate something.  What is communicated depends both what a writer does, but also on what a reader does.  How do we as readers and critical thinkers shape the meaning of a text?    

As Director of the First Year Experience program, I am committed to continuing to develop and build our program so that it is successful in helping students from all backgrounds and experiences find a sense of direction and community when they enter our CEHD community.   Through innovative design and the integration of academic and social engagement opportunities, the First Year Experience program supports excellence in students and faculty.