Universities Attended

programs and degrees

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; 2010

Doctor of Philosophy, Rhetoric, Scientific and Technical Communication
Deptartments of Rhetoric and Writing Studies
Specialty Area: Technology and Writing Pedagogy

Studied the intersections of philosophy and rhetoric when science and law try to understand notions of “disability” and “accommodation” of difference. Public policy implications are of particular interest, as the law both shapes and is shaped by rhetorical choices. Researched user interface design and user experience practices (UI/UX) to determine how students and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) interact within virtual spaces. This research sought to improve language arts instruction and promote neurodiversity in higher education.  Projects drew upon my technical skills and my interest in writing instruction.

  • 3.93 overall G.P.A.; 4.0 department G.P.A. (63 units)
  • Dissertation: Online Pedagogy: Designing Writing Courses for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Advisor: Laura J. Gurak; 2008 – May 2010
    • Additional Committee: Lee-Ann Kastman Breuch, Mary Lay Schuster, Aaron H. Doering, Cassandra Scharber
    • Research Categories:
      • Speech and Rhetorical Studies
      • Educational / Instructional Media Design
      • Special Education
      • English Education
    • Submitted December 22, 2009; Defense May 11, 2010
  • Oral Preliminary Examinations passed Apr. 2009
    • Committee: Laura J. Gurak, Lee-Ann Kastman Breuch, Richard Graff, Richard Beach
  • College of Liberal Arts, Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Summer Research Fellowship; 2009
    • Different by Design: Online Spaces for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • College of Liberal Arts, Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Summer Research Fellowship; 2007
    • Virtually Different: Rhetorical Strategies of Autistic Students in Virtual Spaces
  • University Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship; 2006 – 2007
  • Academic Advisor: Lee-Ann Kastman Breuch
  • Courses included: Rhetoric and Ethics, Major Figures in Rhetorical Tradition, Research Methods, Quantitative Statistics, Visual Rhetoric, Information Design, Technology and Culture

California State University, Fresno; 2006

Master of Arts with Distinction, English Composition Theory and Rhetoric
Department of English

  • 4.0 GPA (45 units)
    • Phi Kappa Phi (ΦΚΦ) National Honors Society, Chapter 062
  • Thesis: The Blackboard Barrier: Student and Teacher Perceptions of Blackboard Online Learning
    • Advisor: Anthony Michel
  • Courses in Pedagogy: Writing Workshop for Teachers, The Teaching of Writing, Current Writing Theory, Independent Studies in Writing Across the Curriculum and Assessment
  • Courses in Rhetoric: Form and Theory of Fiction, Plays in Performance, Film Theory and Criticism, Visual Rhetoric

College of the Sequoias; Visalia, California; 2005

Bilingual Competency for CSU Graduate Programs

  • Courses: Spanish I, II, and III.

Chapman University; Orange, California; 1991

Coursework in Education

  • 4.0 G.P.A.
  • Courses: Curriculum Theory, Research and Evaluation

University of Southern California; Los Angeles; 1990

Bachelor of Arts, Print Journalism with Media Management Emphasis
Bachelor of Arts, English with Secondary Education Emphasis

  • 3.47 G.P.A.; 3.56 program G.P.A. (132 units)
  • Thematic Option Honors Program
    • Dean’s Hall Honors Student, Marks Hall; 1987 – 1988
    • Faculty in Residence, Kerckhoff Honors Housing; 1988 – 1989, 1989 – 1990, Fall 1990
  • Dean’s Scholar award recipient
    • Dean’s List; Fall 1989, Spring 1989
  • Courses Included: Symbols and Conceptual Systems, The Teaching of Reading and Writing, Learning and Evaluation, Teaching Methods, Use of Instructional Technology, Linguistics and Education

Teaching Certifications and Exams

Institutional Training

  • CITI Human Research, Social / Behavioral or Humanist Research Investigators Basic Certification; Sept. 2009
  • Institutional Data Security; 2007
    • Workstation Security
    • University Data Policies
    • Data Security in Your Job

Certifications

  • California English Long-Term Single Subject Teaching Credential; Oct. 22, 1998 – Nov. 1, 1999
  • California English Long-Term Single Subject Teaching Credential; Aug. 16, 1991 – Jun. 30, 1992
  • California English Temporary Credential; Apr. 1, 1991 – Jan. 31, 1992
  • California Certificate of Clearance; Nov. 6, 1990
    • Clearance for Student Teaching; completed education coursework

Exams

  • Praxis / Multiple Subject Assessment (MSAT); Mar. 1999 Above Average
  • California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST); Dec. 1988 Above Average
  • National Teachers’ Examinations (NTE)
    • 95th Percentile, Professional Knowledge of Teaching
    • 94th Percentile, General Knowledge of Lower and Middle Grade Academic Subjects
    • 85th Percentile Biology and General Science for Grades 9 through 12
      Perfect score in Earth and Space Sciences

Academic Tests

  • Graduate Record Exams (GRE); 2004
    • 1310 scaled score
      • 93rd Percentile Verbal (660)
      • 84th Percentile Writing
  • Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT); 1986
    • 1300 total score
      • 97th Percentile Math (650)
      • 99th Percentile Verbal (650)
      • 92nd Percentile Written English
  • National Merit Tests (PSAT/NMSQT); 1984
    • 186 Selection Index; 97th Percentile
      • 97th Percentile Verbal
      • 90th Percentile Math

See Technical Certifications