Category Archives: General

General

Graduate Opportunities at Millersville

The Department of English and World Languages has many versatile options for students who want to continue their education after completing an undergraduate degree. Each of these programs are developed to meet the shifting needs of students providing adaptable skills to promote life-long learning.

There are currently two Master’s Programs tracks available as well as an array of Graduate Certificates and a 4+1 Program with an Accelerated degree completion option.

Pursuing a Graduate degree at MU means you can continue to learn with the professors you love, exploring new avenues of ENWL and building competitive skills to elevate your life and career. Keep reading for more information about each program and where to find perspectives from recent graduate students.

Master of Arts in English (MA)

The MA in English program is designed to strengthen professional skills for all fields and prepare students for continuing graduate study. The English MA enhances students’ intellectual and aesthetic life through the intense study of literature, writing studies, literary theory, film studies and linguistics. The MA degree program can be completed fully online, with options for both synchronous and asynchronous class meetings. Strategic faculty advising is available to tailor programs to meet your needs through independent study, flexible degree completion options, and consultation for opportunities outside the classroom (conferences, publications).

MA Highlights

  • 30 Credit hours with multiple timelines to complete degree
  • Areas of Study
    • Narrative Studies: Literature and Film
    • Writing Studies: Rhetoric, Composition, and Creative Writing
  • Degree Completion Options (Capstone Project)
    • Thesis Options
      • Thesis
      • Creative Thesis 
      • Curricular Artifact 
    • Digital Portfolio Class

Master of Education in English (MEd)

The Master of Education in English combines courses in language and literature with educational psychology and pedagogy. This program is designed to engage both current and future teachers by building skills that will help in your classrooms and beyond. An interdepartmental team of faculty and staff will work with you to meet your goals by creating independent studies, providing guidance through your capstone project, and connecting you with opportunities outside the classroom (conferences, publishing).

MEd Highlights

  • 33 credit hours with multiple timelines for completing degree
  • Areas of Study
    • Narrative Studies: Literature and Film
    • Writing Studies: Rhetoric, Composition, and Creative Writing
    • Education: Classroom Research and Pedagogy
  • Degree Completion Options (Capstone Projects)
    • Digital Portfolio Class

4+1 Accelerated English Program

This program is designed to allow current undergraduates to be admitted to our MA Graduate Studies program at an accelerated pace. Students enrolled in this program count graduate courses toward their undergraduate degree, saving time and money.

Here are some highlights of our 4+1 Program

  • Accelerated program allows for completion of an advanced degree in one additional academic year
  • Can start taking Graduate level courses in your Junior year
  • Opportunity for Early Acceptance into MA 
  • A portion of the Accelerated English program is billed at a lower tuition rate (for 12 credits that fulfill both undergraduate and graduate requirements)

Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program

Millersville University’s Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program is designed for those applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree and would like to be certified to teach in the State of Pennsylvania.  It is not necessary to complete a second degree in order to be certified.

Post-Bacc Highlights

  • Credit hours vary by individual student needs
  • Certification is available for
    • English (7-12)
    • Spanish (K-12)

Graduate Certificate

Millersville University’s Writing Certificate is a highly flexible accreditation that highlights writing skill growth and development

  • 18 credit hours (15 are able to be shared in MA/Med)
  • Opportunity to specifically demonstrate expanded writing skills

Most programs have rolling admissions but deadlines may vary by program so please communicate directly with our graduate coordinator Dr. A. Nicole Pfannenstiel (ambernicole.pfannenstiel@millersville.edu ) for the most up to date information. For more information check out our  Graduate Degrees section on our website and for inside perspectives from current grad students check out our Grad Blog.

 

General

Peaceful Pages – Registration Open

Peaceful Pages is a bibliotherapy influenced book group that integrates book and podcast discussion with arts activity. This group will be facilitated by Elliot Simcoe, Dr. Nicole Pfannenstiel, and Dr. Emily Baldys. We will read the Pulitzer Prize winning book A Day in the Life of Abed Salama by Nathan Thrall and listen to podcasts from a variety of voices from both Israel and Palestine. Our two sessions will include meaningful discussion and art activities over a shared meal. Our creative approaches offer space for participants to artfully and mindfully work through difficult topics. This book group is open to 20 participants and will include a copy of the book, food, and art activities.
Session 1: Creative Poetry Exploration
Wednesday Oct 16 from 6-8pm  in McComsey 359
Session 2: Creative Paint Exploration
Wednesday Nov13 from 6-8pm  in McComsey 359
Click here  to register.
Peaceful Pages is Sponsored by: Millersville University Department of English and World Languages, Elsie S. Shenk Center for Health Education and Promotion, and the Office of Diversity and Social Justice.

 

General

Faculty Feature: Dr. Kim McCollum-Clark

Dr. Kim McCollum-Clark (she/her) is an Associate Professor of ENWL and has taken on a new role as the Faculty Coordinator for Gen Ed and FYEX (First Year Experience). She specializes in English Education (teacher preparation in grades 7-12) with a rich background in many areas of the ENWL discipline. She received her BA in English and French from Guilford College in Greensboro NC and her MA in English (specialty in Rhet/Comp) as well as her PhD. in Language and Literacy Ed from Penn State.

Though it’s always hard to pick a favorite book, Dr. Kim’s favorite author is Ursula K. Le Guin. Le Guin is best known for her works of sci-fi and fantasy though she has developed a great body of works spanning both creative and scholarly exploration.

If you visit the McNairy Library (online or in-person), you can check out Le Guin’s collection of poems So Far So Good (2018), or her Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel The Left Hand of Darkness (first published 1969), and much, much more.

Dr. Kim’s favorite courses to teach at Millersville include ENGL 486: Teaching Reading & Literature to Young Adults, ENGL 110: English Composition, and now FYEX! She is bringing the enthusiasm and passion students have come to expect from her in the classroom to her new endeavor. We asked her about the changes to FYEX and the impacts for undergrad ENWL students:

I started in this role in January and we are in the midst of actualizing a major general education revision that will go into effect for students who come to MU in Fall 2025, so current students are NOT affected by the changes! That’s important! If you are already a student, the “Legacy” gen ed reflected in your MarAUDIT is the older curriculum. I think the most important word in my new title is FACULTY. I am trying to a) strengthen the faculty and student POV in the discussions about how to put the new plan, called GATEWAY, into action; b) help faculty to wrap their minds around the changes and to see them as OPPORTUNITIES to make a new argument for the power and usefulness of the General Education curriculum. For students who come in under GATEWAY, they will have some new and different choices. By the way, if current students LIKE what they see when GATEWAY rolls out, they can “adopt” the new general ed requirements if they want to.

Congratulations on your new role Dr. Kim! We are looking forward to the exciting changes you are initiating to make Millersville even better for our future students.

General

Highlights from Games for Learning and an EPPIIC Night

Last week, two events on campus gave students, faculty and staff opportunities to gather and celebrate both the new school year and the Department of ENWL’s commitment to Millersville’s EPPIIC Values. Check out the Upcoming Events list at the end of this post for next week’s activities!

Games for Learning

Our Games for Learning event, hosted by Creative Writers Guild and George Street Press, gave students a chance to play literature and language themed games, enjoying some snacks and pizza while getting to know each other. This low-key event is a great way to kick-off the new semester and engage with ENWL topics in a fun way! If you couldn’t make it, that’s ok – you can connect with Creative Writers Guild and GSP on Instagram (cwg_mu , mu_georgestreetpress) or on Get Involved! Millersville’s site for clubs and student orgs.

 

An EPPIIC Night

The annual State of the ‘Ville this past Friday also includes the presentation of the 2024 EPPIIC Awards. These awards recognize Millersville University employees who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to representing MU’s EPPIIC Values: Exploration, Professionalism, Public Mission, Integrity, Inclusion and Compassion.

We had a record number of nominations for ENWL faculty members across multiple categories: Exploration, Dr. Katarzyna Jakubiak; Professionalism, Dr. Nicole A Pfannenstiel; Integrity, Dr. Emily Baldys and Dr. Justin Mando (Team); Inclusion, Dr. Emily Baldys; Compassion, Dr. Jill Craven. Check out the heartfelt nominations from students here.

From Left to Right: Dr. Pfannenstiel, Dr. Baldys, Dr. Jakubiak, Dr. Craven, Dr. Mando

Congratulations to our nominees – we are so proud to have such EPPIIC faculty!

 

Upcoming Events Next Week (9/15 – 9/21)

Mon 9/16 – GSA Ice Cream Social – 7:30 PM SMC 28

Tues 9/17 – English Club General Meeting – 6:30 PM, Ford Atrium

-Creative Writers Guild Meeting – 7:30 PM, Hash 212

Wed 9/18 – Film Club showing Poetic Justice (1993) – 6PM, McComsey 204

-Spanish Club BINGO! – 7PM, McComsey 205

9/20-9/21 – Millersville Homecoming

General, Recommendations

A Summary of Summer Reads – Fall 2024

Here are the top recommendations from books faculty read this summer! Faculty caught up on some classic Sci-Fi, explored mind-bending Non-Fiction, found useful perspectives on managing stress through mindfulness, and more. Check out the list below and let us know what you read this summer in the comments!

Title: The Mindful Twenty-Something: life skills to handle stress…& everything else

Author: Holly Rogers

Recommended by: Dr. Nicole Pfannenstiel

“This book breaks down meditation and mindfulness to show college students where to integrate the practice to their real life.

This book offers a very real perspective on the lived experiences of college students – and how meditation can help. The book is not about fixing the lives of college students, but providing real ways to reconnect with themselves to work through the stresses of life.”

The full PDF is available to read through the McNairy Library: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=f0d7d0b5-03bf-3ad4-904e-fa3cbb78b670

Title: Parable of the Sower

Author: Octavia Butler

Recommended by: Dr. Justin Mando

“This work of dystopian fiction published in the ’90s just so happens to begin in July, 2024. What a time to encounter this startling vision of the present to shake us into seeing that there is still hope for the future

This is a foundational book of climate fiction that I’d been meaning to read for years.”

Check it out through McNairy as a book, ebook: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=44eccbe2-c2fc-375f-b4c8-685aa165e347

Or a graphic novel adaptation: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=a3e2cebc-7b14-39fd-b3d0-04c193e26f43

Title: Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control

Author: Stephen Kinzer

Recommended by: Dr. Timothy Mayer

“A journalistic account of how a secret project of the CIA in the 1950s experimented with LSD on willing and unwilling subjects in an ultimately failed attempt to win the Cold War through ‘brainwashing’ and ‘mind control.’

If you like speculative fiction, you will probably enjoy this book, and you will keep having to remind yourself that it is *not* fiction.”

The audiobook is available for free with a Lancaster County Libraries card through Hoopla:

https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobook/poisoner-in-chief-stephen-kinzer/12693167

Title: The Archer’s Tale

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Recommended by: Dr. Josh Rea

“An English archer begins a quest for the Holy Grail during the War of the Roses.

I found it interesting because it paired thorough and detailed historical research and events with a fantasy-style quest.”

The McNairy Library has a hard copy available to borrow here: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=5312ca87-07c7-389f-b7c4-0d3c01bfe1b8

Title: Dune

Author: Frank Herbert

Recommended by: Dr. Emily Baldys

“Dune is set in a distant future in which noble houses fight for control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the valuable intoxicant known as ‘spice.’ The story follows Lady Jessica, a ‘Bene Gesserit witch,’ and her son Paul Atreides, a young noble who becomes the leader of a desert-dwelling people called the Fremen after his family is betrayed. Along the way, there are sand worms, spectacular fights, cackling villains, love stories, and lots of drugs and mysticism.

I’d never read this SFF classic and enjoyed it more than I expected! The story of Paul Atreides’ rise to status of prophet on a planet that’s not his home has so many interesting connections to issues of colonialism, gender, ecology, religion, and more. It was also fascinating to see how the book influenced later Sci Fi epics, like Star Wars and more.”

Check out the ebook from McNairy here: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=da868631-395f-3b23-96f5-1cddfb1f4894

 

General

Fall 2024 Welcome and Upcoming Events

Welcome back! We are so excited to kick-off another academic year with you and want to share some of the awesome events and conferences planned for this semester. Plus, don’t forget to check out our last blog post on clubs and student organizations associated with the Department of English and World Languages. There are so many great ways to get involved on campus and beyond and we hope this list gives you a chance to find a way to gain some extraordinary experiences this semester!

 

General Information

For the most up-to date information on events and other opportunities, follow our Instagram (@ville.englishworldlanguage ) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/VilleEnglish/ ) and if you haven’t had the chance yet, take a look at our Spring 2024 Newsletter to see highlights of our student and faculty achievements from this past year.

 

September Events

We’re starting off strong with games, book club, and our ongoing lecture series Faculty Focus: Research Talk.

 

9/4 – ENWL Game Night from 5 – 6:30 PM in MCC 266. Come play literature and language-themed games with students and faculty of the English and World Languages Department. Hosted by Creative Writers Guild and George Street Press, this event has free food and good vibes to start your semester off right!

9/10 – Gay Trivia with WGSS at 4pm with Professor Liam Lair from West Chester. Location TBD.

9/12 – Book Club – The League of Women Voters of Lancaster County will host a book club on Thursday, 9/12 to discuss Sarah Sobieraj’s Credible Threat: Attacks Against Women Online and the Future of Democracy at Pocket Books, 903 Wheatland Avenue. Discussion starts at 6pm. The event is free, and there will be refreshments. Registration required: https://www.millersville.edu/universitycollege/kenderdine-lecture/

9/20-21 – Homecoming 

9/26 – Faculty Focus: Research Talk at 11 AM in McComsey 248 (Student Lounge). Dr. Pfannenstiel and Michele Santamaría are our first guests this semester for our ongoing “tiny office” lecture series. They will be sharing highlights from their new book Information Literacy and Social Media: Empowered Student Engagement with the ACRL Framework. Cookies and apple cider will be provided.

 

 

Guest Speakers

Looking for an easy way to get expert advice and insight on reading, writing, and so much more right on campus? Check out these speakers who are bringing their wealth of knowledge and experience to us this Fall!

 

Kenderdine Lecture – Guest Speaker: Sarah Sobieraj

Millersville University and the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County Present The Harriet Kenderdine Lecture featuring Dr. Sarah Sobieraj

The Body Politic: Women, Digital Harassment, and Democratic Life
Tuesday, October 8th @7pm
Biemesderfer Auditorium, The Winter Center (free parking)
60 West Cottage Avenue, Millersville PA 17551

Free and Open to the Public

https://www.millersville.edu/universitycollege/kenderdine-lecture/

EAPSU 2024 Conference – Keynote Speaker: Kate Baer

American writer Kate Baer is the 3x New York Times bestselling author of What Kind Of Woman, I Hope This Finds You Well, & And Yet.

Friday, October 4th @ 4pm

McComesy Hall

Hazel I. Jackson Lecture – Guest Speaker: Amina Gautier

Thursday, November 7th @7 PM

SMC – 114 MPR, Reighard Multi Purpose Room

Free and Open to the Public

https://www.millersville.edu/calendar/events/f3b99c34-fb32-11ee-9624-0d163128cd08

 

Conferences

Presenting or attending a conference can give you the chance to be a part of something special beyond the classroom. Many of these conferences occur annually and provide an opportunity to both give and receive valuable feedback with your peers and the general public while building unique skills in networking and presenting.

 

EAPSU 2024 Conference

October 18th and 19th

Millersville University

This is a friendly inter-institutional conference for undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty to discuss a broad array of topics related to literature, writing studies/rhetoric, linguistics, English education, film studies, cultural studies, creative writing, and digital humanities. Presenters and panelists may share analytical or creative projects that explore themes of writing, social justice, narratives, voices, inclusion, and diversity.

PROPOSALS FOR EAPSU ARE DUE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH

EAPSU.ORG

Harrisburg Book Festival

October 9th – 13th

Harrisburg, PA

Presented by Midtown Scholar Bookstore, this festival boasts events, panels, author visits, a massive book sale and more! While not strictly a conference, this is a low-key way to engage with the larger community of scholars and book lovers all around us!

2024 PASSHE Summit

October 28th and 29th

Millersville University

PASSHE Offices of Academic Affairs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Student Affairs present this year’s Summit theme of “Uniting for Inclusive Student Success” to explore the myriad policies, practices, research, and related matters that impact inclusive student success.  The 2024 Summit will be a hybrid conference. In-person sessions will be held at Millersville University and virtual/hybrid sessions will be on Zoom.

PROPOSALS FOR PASSHE SUMMIT DUE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th

2024 PASSHE Summit

MAPACA 2024 Conference

November 7th – 9th

Atlantic City, NJ

The Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA) annual conference has grown into one of the largest regional branches of the national Popular Culture and American Culture Association (PCA/ACA). Welcoming presentations and panels from a wide array of research on Pop and American Culture, this diverse conference has something for everyone. Submissions for this year’s conference are already closed but keep an eye out for next year which will be hosted in Philadelphia, PA!

MAPACA.NET

 

Have an ENWL related event you would like us to promote! Let us know! Email Dr. Emily Baldys at Emily.Baldys@millersville.edu . Best of luck with your new semester!

General

Clubs and Student Organizations 2024

Being a part of a club or student organization can be an awesome opportunity to make friends, build skills, and commiserate about the ups and downs of student life. Here is a list of English and World Languages related groups that can help you find your people, expand your mind, and have fun.

Check out these clubs and more on Millersville’s Get Involved page (https://getinvolved.millersville.edu/ ) for upcoming events and campus-wide opportunities.

​

AAUW

The American Association of University Women at Millersville University helps   prepare students for leadership in the civic realm, particularly in the realm of social justice and offers students an opportunity to exchange ideas on social justice and   plan social justice-related activities. As part of a larger AAUW community, members can network and gain insight for both personal and career growth.

Get Involved: Ville AAUW

Insta:  @villeaauw

ADAPT

The MU chapter of ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs) seeks to create a more diverse community by upholding our school inclusion policy and advocating for persons with disabilities throughout our school community and surrounding communities; this will be done through social actions that our civil, democratic, and nonviolent. All are welcome no matter if you have a visible disability, invisible disability, or no disability at all!

Get Involved: ADAPT

Insta: @muadapt

Creative Writer’s Guild

The Creative Writers’ Guild is for individuals looking to write in a supportive environment and expand their skills. Our goal is to provide students with an outlet and an audience for their writing (poetry, prose, short stories, etc.). We give weekly  prompts followed by a voluntary sharing session and a discussion. Writers of all skill levels and concentration are invited.

Get Involved: CWG

Insta: @ cwg_mu

English Club

The English Club provides a welcome environment where lovers of verse and manipulators of language can come together to participate in literary activities, field trips, discussions, and more. Open to majors and nonmajors, English Club is ready for you!

Get Involved: English Club

Insta: @mu_englishclub

Film Club​

Screening films and discussing the topics presented in them and correlating them to larger societal issues. All are welcome! Feel free to bring snacks, PJs, blankets, pillows, and friends! Please see your email or Instagram for further screening times and special events!

Get Involved: Film Club

Insta: @ millersvillefilm

George Street Press

The purpose of this organization shall be to organize, design, compile, and edit an annual, professional publication (literary journal) of Millersville University student/faculty writings and visual art. This includes poetry, short prose fiction, drama, stylistic nonfiction, painting, drawing, digital designs, etc. You can check out  new and old editions of the GSP in our Student Lounge!

Get Involved: GSP

Insta: @ mu_georgestreetpress

Her Campus ​

Her Campus Millersville is a chapter of Her Campus (HerCampus.com), the #1 media site for college women, written entirely by the world’s top college journalists. In 2009, three female Harvard undergraduates launched a plan to fill a hole in the media marketplace: an online magazine dedicated to, written by, and focused on empowering college women. Now, Her Campus has over 420   chapters worldwide in 11 countries. If you love to write, voice your passions, and lift up other women, Her Campus may be the perfect fit for you!

Get Involved: Her Campus

Insta: @ hercampusmillersville

Sigma Tau Delta

The Millersville University Iota Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society gives qualifying students the opportunity to connect with the larger STD community with opportunities for scholarships and internships as well as              eligibility to submit proposals to the annual conference. Ask your advisor for more information.

Spanish Club

The Spanish Club’s main purpose is to create an outlet for Millersville University students to practice and to enhance their speaking and listening skills of the Spanish language and to learn about Hispanic culture through the sharing of music,  movies, news, Hispanic pop-culture, and more. Meetings are conducted in English  and Spanish and include games and activities driven to help students become comfortable expressing their levels of fluency. Students of any level of Spanish proficiency are encouraged to join.

Get Involved: Spanish Club

Insta @mu.spanishclub

TAG

The Transgender Action Group at Millersville University uses activism to improve the quality of life of trans and gender expansive peoples at Millersville University and in the surrounding communities. This group provides a unique space to meet the      specific needs of trans and gender expansive peoples through club meetings and events.

Insta: @ville_tag

 

General

English and World Languages is in Their “Fearless” and “Speak Now” Eras

Leading up to Taylor Swift’s release of her newest album The Tortured Poets Department, the department of English and World Languages is highlighting each of her albums in preparation for the event. This week, the department has entered its Fearless and Speak Now eras! The album Fearless was originally released in 2008, with her rerecording or “Taylor’s Version” rereleased in April of 2021. Fearless incorporates themes of romance, aspirations, fairytale elements, heartache, and resilience through its 26 song track list. Some key songs off of this album include “Love Story,” “White Horse,” “Fearless,” and “Forever and Always.” Her third studio album Speak Now was originally released in 2010, with Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) released in July of 2023. This album transitions from adolescence into adulthood by incorporating themes of coming into your own and gaining confidence through whimsical and theatrical elements. Some key songs off of this album include “Long Live,” “Enchanted,” “Dear John,” “Mine,” “Sparks Fly,” and “Better Than Revenge.”

You may be in your ENWL Fearless era too if you are:

  • Registered for the Spanish Literature in English (CRN 14628) for next fall
  • Write 8 pages for a 4 page paper
  • Romanticize the little things
  • Love a late night study session with friends
  • Daydream about a bright future
  • A member of Spanish club

You may be in your ENWL Speak Now era too if you are:

  • Someone who takes creative risks
  • Grew up reading fairytales
  • Is a multifaceted and multimodal writer
  • Defies stereotypes
  • Is a member of the Creative Writers Guild
  • Have a Goodreads account
  • Secretly loves rock music

Dr. Jakubiak is in her Fearless era, as she travels across the world to showcase not only her writing and poetry talents, but also brings back this international knowledge to her courses and students. The song “Fearless” has the lyrics “and I don’t know how it gets better than this, you take my hand and drag me headfirst, fearless.” These lyrics showcase her bravery in going to different places and events to show her work and highlights how putting yourself out there “fearlessly” can lead to a successful outcome. Dr. Jakubiak’s adventure with the English languages started with translating lyrics of Pop and Rock songs by artists like George Michael, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Cyndi Lauper!

Dr. Pfannenstiel is in her Speak Now era, as although she may appear to be soft like the album cover, she creates a blend of deep knowledge and student centered teaching that evokes the same spirit as Speak Now. She includes elements of lighthearted joy alongside rock and roll that encapsulate the theme of being honest to oneself, as heard on the album. Dr. P connects to the song “Enchanted,” as she is always so kind, helpful, and thoughtful to be both her undergrad and gradate students. It is always enchanting to get to grow with her as a learner!

Both Fearless and Speak Now have unexpected literature connections. Swift draws inspiration from William Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet for her hit song “Love Story,” narrating a modern and happier retelling of the classic fated lovers on her Fearless album. The song “Speak Now” has a connection to the 1967 film The Graduate, as the song features the lyrics “don’t say yes, run away now, I’ll meet you when you’re out of the church at the back door.” These lyrics recall an experience of crashing a wedding and running away with one member of the couple, which was mist famously done in the move, as Benjamin crashes the wedding of his lover Elaine and whisks her away onto a bus.

Stay tuned for next week’s post on our Instagram @ville.englishworldlanguage to see why the humanities will “never go out of style.”

Research Corner: Faces take us places

This week, through our data tracking, it was evident that we received a boost in engagement with posts that included faces of our faculty rather than those without. For example, on our ENWL trope posts, we had a total of 20 likes over 48 hours with zero saves, zero shares, and zero comments. However, on the Faculty Feature post, we had a total of 35 likes over 48 hours, with 4 saves and eight shares. It is interesting to see this boost because of this one change, and makes us wonder if this is because the posts with faces fit the expectations set for social media rather than those with just text or images.

 

General

Calling All Poets!- Academy of American Poets Student Poetry Contest

The Academy of American Poets is hosting a student poetry contest and we invite both undergraduate and graduate students to apply! You can submit up to three (1-3) poems in any form to Dr. Farkas by emailing her at Kerrie.Farkas@millersville.edu with the subject line of “poetry contest.” In the email, make sure to include your name, MU number, and email address. Do not include your name or any identifying information on the actual poems. The deadline for the contest is Friday, March 15th, 2024.

The winner of the contest will receive $100, their poem published on Poets.org and listed in the Academy’s annual report, a one-year membership to Academy of American Poets, and a one-year subscription to American Poets magazine.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Farkas at Kerrie.Farkas@millersville.edu or (717-871-7399). Good luck and happy writing!

General

Faculty Feature: Dr. Pfannenstiel

Dr. Nicole Pfannenstiel (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor of English and the Graduate Coordinator. Dr. Pfannenstiel received her MA in English and PhD in Rhetoric, Composition, and Linguistics both from Arizona State. Her research revolves around “Sense of belonging and Graduate Pedagogy” and she has been working in graduate education for over 20 years. As the Graduate Coordinator, she states that “I want to work with student-centered pedagogical theories from undergraduate education to improve the graduate student learning experience. I work to bring high structure to graduate education, to draw attention to the hidden curricular pieces. My aim is to break down silos and barriers so our program supports all students, including marginalized students even more underrepresented in graduate school, attending, completing and succeeding in our graduate program.”

Earlier this year Dr. Pfannenstiel was recognized for her outstanding commitment to students on this campus with the 2023 Sarah Lindsley Person of the Year Award, presented by Millersville’s Student Government Association. She remarked about this honor that “there is no greater honor at a teaching focused institution than to be honored by the students.” She was also recently nominated for the EVA awards for her EPPIIC Professionalism for her continued commitment to helping students understand and take-on professional roles.

She carries the remarkable ethos that brought her these awards and recognition into her scholarship. Dr. Pfannenstiel’s new book Web Writing, which is published as a peer-reviewed Open Educational Resource (OER) on paadopt.org, is part of an ongoing grant to remove financial barriers to studies by creating OER textbooks to alleviate one of the hidden costs of education. Web Writing itself explores a rhetorical approach to web writing, content management, and meaning making in contemporary social media. This book works alongside her WRIT 318 curriculum focused on building an understanding of the rhetoric and content strategy of writing online. You can access the entire book for free here: (https://paadopt.org/bookshelf/web-writing/ ).

 

Here are some of Dr. P’s favorite Media!

Favorite book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and so much P&P fanfiction.

Favorite movie: Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Favorite TV show: Bones (2005)

Favorite videogame: AFK Arena – I am obsessed with casual games – this is my favorite mobile casual game with RPG elements.

 

What does it mean to Dr. Pfannenstiel to be an English and World Languages Scholar?

“When I stepped in as Graduate Coordinator there were several external pressures on graduate programs and graduate education. In the last five years those external pressures remain, but have shifted. In collaborative work with Dr. Kaitlin Mondello, we’ve found a focused attention on PhD programs and preparing PhDs for the reality of the professorate profession AND alt-ac positions. However, there is very little attention on regional, public, master’s granting institutions. We know our graduate programs are an important public good, we also know that students need different supports to support their work through the skill development required at the graduate level. When I began graduate school, the mentality was sink or swim. This doesn’t have to be the pedagogical approach. I was required to complete assignments, that I now see align with skills I’m using on a daily basis as a professor – bringing transparency to these assignments and overall curricular design is one of the most important decisions I’ve made as an educator. My goal is to work with all faculty, especially graduate faculty in the English & World Languages department, to bring transparency into our curricular design in ways that support graduate-specific skill development and professional development. Then, to continue collaborating with Dr. Mondello on publications and presentations so we raise scholarly awareness about the need to rethink approaches to graduate pedagogy. Essentially, I identified a need in a student population. I’ve devoted countless hours to research, presentations, grant funded projects, and hopefully in the near future publications to research and enact new pedagogical approaches to benefit learners. I think this is a really important way English and World Languages scholars carry our focus on the human experience into the real world. All areas of the English & World Languages department center the human experience in their research – I am extending those in specific ways. I see my research questions centered in the human experience. I see my research, presentations and grants as reflecting the scholarship valued by peers in the professorate. I see being a scholar as connecting my research to benefitting a community – specifically graduate students!”

 

Thank you Dr. Pfannenstiel for sharing your knowledge and commitment to your students!