Abby Good is graduating from Millersville University as an English BSE major. “My time at Millersville was made special by the people I met, professors I learned from, and the knowledge I’ve gained,” she shares.
Abby’s favorite English course was ENGL 232 World Literature 2, with Dr. Skucek. The class allowed students to truly read world literature, which was something she didn’t have much experience with. Prior to this class, she was familiar only with a few European authors. The novels read in class helped introduce her to authors from various countries, such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Hermann Hesse, Franz Kafka, Gustave Flaubert, and a few others.
Abby was a member of the women’s volleyball team for all four undergrad years. She was recognized with a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award twice. She was also actively involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club (member and then President 2019-2020) and was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa.
Abby recently completed Professional Development School. For three semesters, she was at Marticville Middle School in the Penn Manor School District. She worked closely with both an English teacher and a Learning Support teacher. Through this internship, she learned immensely from her mentors, planned and implemented lessons, and grew as a teacher.
Stephanie Wenger is graduating with a BA in English this spring. Stephanie’s kindness and thoughtfulness have always enhanced our sense of community within the English Department.
Stephanie Wenger loved her time at Millersville. She fell in love with this school as soon as she set foot on campus. Her experience at Millersville was made special by all the friends she made and all the opportunities she had to grow into the professional, hard-working person she is today.
Stephanie took advantage of the many clubs and leadership opportunities on campus throughout her college career. As President of the English Club, Stephanie organized many excursions outside of campus to see plays, films, and readings. She also led weekly meetings with club members to discuss all things English.
Dr. Corkery, the advisor for the English Club, praised Stephanie for her hard work, “Stephanie is remarkably kind and thoughtful. You can see how she cares about including people in whatever she does from the way she collaborates. She wants the group to thrive, not just herself. She has been a wonderful contributor to our English community. Thanks Stephanie!”
She was also on the e-board of the National Society of Leadership and Success as the vice-president and took part in George Street Press where she was published in the 2018-2019 issue.
While English majors are only required to complete one internship for their degree, Stephanie decided to pursue two internships to expand her professional skill set. Her first internship was with the Archives and Special Collections through the McNairy Library where she worked with the YWCA collection. She also interned with Housing and Residential Programs where she worked as the marketing intern. Her job was to write for the
blog and create social media content.
Looking back at all the English courses she’s taken, Stephanie remembers two classes she loved the most. The first was World Literature with Professor Skucek, and the second was Web Writing with Dr. Pfannenstiel. She loved these classes because she found the content fascinating and the professors were wonderful.
As of right now, Stephanie doesn’t have any set plans after she graduates. However, she is working on getting a job in the marketing writing field.
Congratulations, Stephanie! We are so proud of all your accomplishments, and we hope you keep in touch.
Joe is a teacher at Warwick Middle School graduating with his Masters degree.
Congratulations Joe on completing your Masters! To complete his degree, Joe decided to write a creative thesis, entitled ‘Bird’s Eye: The Journal of Leah Manifold.’ It is a modern-day, absurdist retelling of the Biblical story of Job told from the wife’s perspective. It is epistolary in structure, as it is told through a series of journal entries and editorial comments.
While completing his Masters, Joe also had work published by The George Street Press and MUsings. Although he was not involved in the organization of these publications, he appreciates all those involved in keeping these publications alive.
One of his favorite experiences has been learning from top-notch professors who showed great understanding and displayed a great sense of humor that made him feel at home. He originally attended MU for his Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Certification, but continued on for his MA. He says, “I know I could have gone on to take graduate classes at other institutions; however, Millersville was the only university for me.”
Joe has had great experiences with many classes. One was Creative Writing with Dr. Halden-Sullivan, which was incredibly fun and challenging, because he was introduced to some very interesting styles of poetry that he then had to emulate. Studying Paradise Lost with Dr. Miller was another great experience. Reading and discussing “Critical Theory” (the name of another class) with fellow students and Dr. D’Stair was the highlight of his week last semester. Studying Young Adult Literature with Dr. McCollum-Clark was another personal favorite for similar reasons.
Joe plans to continue teaching and to get some creative work published.
Joe, we look forward to reading your publications!
Rashna Yousaf will be graduating with a BA in English and a minor in Journalism. She will be looking for a job at IU13 and getting married after she graduates.
Rashna loved the intellectual community of Millersville. She enjoyed being able to share and cultivate her ideas with others. In particular, she enjoyed working on big events like presenting at Made in Millersville and the annual Literary Festivals. Rashna even premiered her short film “The Line” at Made in Millersville .
Film has a special place in Rashna’s heart. She traveled to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with Dr. Craven in 2017, and got to speak with directors like Brie Larson and Darren Aronofsky during their presentations and discussions at TIFF.
In class, she really loved Philosophy of Film as “all they did was watch films and talk about their meanings.” Milton with Dr. Miller was also a treat. Rashna says she has never taken so many notes on what the professor said (without a Powerpoint!).
Outside of the classroom, Rashna enjoyed Film Club. She worked at the Digital Learning Studio where she got to work with editing videos and 3D printing everyday–and got paid for it. She says she couldn’t have asked for a better job.
Rashna would like to pursue a job with IU-13 until her dream job, working for The Bible Project Youtube channel, comes along.
Rashna we look forward to celebrating you as an innovative voice in filmmaking. Please remember Brie Larson’s encouragement! As Alfredo says to Toto in Cinema Paradiso, “I don’t want to hear you talk anymore. I want to hear others talking about you.”
Jordan Traut is graduating with a double major in English and Anthropology. Jordan plans to continue her education with an MA at Millersville University.
Jordan Traut made the most of every minute of her college education, both in and outside of Millersville. Jordan planned well and worked with her adviser to maximize her experiences each year; she managed to finish the Honors College curriculum, to write a thesis, to study abroad, to do her internship in Japan, and to complete two majors–all in 3 years. We celebrate her impressive initiative and her many accomplishments!
Jordan’s research focused on flood narratives, specifically how the flood archetype in literature is universal and prevailing in the creation/religious texts of all cultures around the world. In particular, she wrote her thesis on the Anishinaabe flood story in their creation teaching, noting how unchecked English-language translations of indigenous oral literature have had serious cultural ramifications.
While at Millersville, Jordan’s favorite class was Professor Karli’s Reading our World: Masculinity in Literature because the content she learned in that course was relevant and applicable to countless other courses. Some of her favorite books, however, were read in Dr. Jakubiak’s American Ethnic Literature course.
Jordan not only studied abroad in Japan, but also completed her internship there. She served as the Flash Quote Reporter for Rugby News Service during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. How cool is that? She got to travel to different stadiums in Japan and interview the players one-on-one. She loved seeing all the different cultures come together during the games.
Back at home, Jordan has enjoyed the community that the English Department created for its students. She especially felt that at the English Awards Dinner last May, where she received the Cynthia Dilgard Award for her essay on the continuing relevance of Shakespeare. This year, Jordan also received the Dilworth-McCollough Award, given to a student who has achieved excellence in English literature. In addition to being selected as the first Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Fellow, Jordan was also awarded a MUSE (MU Summer Experience) grant for her research.
One aspect that made Jordan’s time at Millersville special was her work with various communities on campus. During her years at Millersville, Jordan participated in clubs and organizations like Friends and Advocates for Native Nations (FANN), the Honors College Student Association, and the Honors College Curriculum Committee. She particularly enjoyed developing academic relationships with so many of the English faculty who helped her in so many ways.
As many jobs in the field Jordan is interested in require additional education, and often a masters, she has applied to MU for graduate studies in English. She looks forward to learning and doing more at Millersville!
We feel very lucky to have Jordan in our community for another two years! We are looking forward to working with you, Jordan, on your next chapter.
Sean Guckert will be graduating with a BA in Writing Studies and continuing on to Graduate school. Many of us will remember Sean for that amazing poem “Sick Note” he performed at the Literary Festival and his always perceptive questions from the back of the room.
Millersville English is inspired by Sean Guckert. Many of us will always remember Sean for his superb poem “Sick Note” he wrote about disability for the fall 2019 MU Literary Festival. This was a moving piece about emailing a professor when you have to miss class as the result of a serious disability. It was an incredible rumination on invisible illness, chronic pain, stigma, and the social impact of physical and mental disabilities. His reading received a standing ovation, and the writing experience inspired him to get involved with the Spring 2020 Disability Pride fest. Unfortunately, this festival has been postponed this year due to Covid-19, but he hopes to be involved in the future.
Sean’s interests are in Feminist Rhetorical Theory. He wrote his thesis as a call to action for men to transcend virtue signalling, and take real action on Feminist and Women issues. In his thesis, he wants men to act, to be informed, and to be empathetic–not just be supportive or an ally with words. Sean felt it was a personal challenge to explore his own failings, to take accountability, and to start paving a way with his writing to explore and effect change.
Given his interests, not surprisingly Sean’s favorite course at Millersville was Gender & Race Issues in Children’s Literature (EDUC 433) with Dr. Jennifer Burke. He describes it as “an awe inspiring experience, especially for someone working on a Children’s book. Dr. Burke exposed and introduced us to the myriad issues involved with getting the most marginalized among us to be heard and to be seen.”
Sean will be continuing his education in Graduate school here at Millersville University, focusing on his writing studies. He is working on a children’s book and potential series that he hopes to complete and ready for a publisher by the end of 2021. He is also writing a television pilot and speculation script.
Sean was grateful for the many connections he made at Millersville:
I was treated with so much kindness, respect, and thoughtfulness by my peers, the faculty, and the administration. Being an older, non-traditional student can be tough, but I will never forget how wonderful everyone at Millersville was during my three years there as a full-time student. More specifically, my advisor, Dr. P (Pfannenstiel) helped guide me through many challenging experiences. I am eternally grateful for her wisdom, mentorship and patience. (sorry ’bout all of those emails). Dr. Greg Bowen for always being there for me with his dry erase board to work out those dastardly tree diagrams. And Dr. Jill Craven for our impromptu pseudo therapy sessions.
We at Millersville look forward to continuing our journey with Sean as a graduate student and to seeing his drafts turn into publications. We can’t wait to celebrate your successes, Blue!
Clark Fennimore, one of the graduate assistants in the English department, discusses being a graduate student on the autism spectrum. Read more about his experiences below!
For someone on the Autism Spectrum, working through graduate school can include extra challenges. It can take more time and effort than usual to complete assignments. Doing class presentations can be intimidating. However, another interesting aspect of such a condition is an unusual way of thinking about things. On the high-functioning end of the spectrum, this can lead to unique avenues of research and writing. In short, the challenges faced by someone of the Spectrum can be accompanied by a distinct ability to contribute to the world intellectually.
As someone on the Spectrum, I can relate to others who want to be respected for an ability to contribute. We want this to be viewed as more important than our limitations. In my youth, I would not have expected to be in graduate school as I am now. In my studies, I seek to develop a unique voice for myself, particularly with distinct areas of research. Part of how I can do so is through distinct ways of thinking as part of ASD.
To those with challenges in the area of academics, I would say that you can find a unique voice. You have things to say that are beneficial to the world. To others who may not face such challenges, I would say those of us who do face them also have something to contribute. We can all respect each other as a result. We must see each other as having value.
There are different kinds of challenges that people face. No one is exempt from challenges, which are part of human nature. I believe that we can view each other with understanding as a result, even if some people seem to be more challenged than others. People with different abilities have things to contribute to society. One important thing is how we face our challenges so that we can make those contributions. Disorders of the Autism Spectrum are among those challenges, and they can be faced so that those on the Spectrum can contribute.
On Friday, February 28th, a group of Millersville students and professors traveled over to Elizabethtown College to hear Jason Bittel, a renowned science writer, speak at the Bowers Writers House. He gave two talks and students and English faculty members Justin Mando and Jill Craven attended a dinner with Bittel hosted by Bowers Writers House’s Jesse Waters.
Jason Bittel is a science writer who most often writes about animals. Cute animals, weird animals, animals that eat the eyeballs of other animals, animals that launch chemical warfare attacks out of their derrieres. As a National Geographic Explorer, he’s trapped invasive wild boar for the National Park Service, eaten termite soldiers in the South African bush, and taken rectal temperatures from bull elk. Bittel’s writing covers a range of topics, including human-wildlife conflict, new scientific discoveries, environment and conservation, and emerging wildlife diseases. You can read his work in National Geographic Magazine,The Washington Post, New Scientist Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, and onEarth Magazine. He is currently working on a children’s book about animals for Magic Cat Publishing due out in 2021.
Jason Bittel, apart from having a world-renowned reputation, is a really interesting guy. Read more about his love of weird animals on his website. Jason is also a contributor for National Geographic – how cool??
Here are the two talk summaries:
4-5 p.m. What the *&^!? is THAT!? Writing for the Sciences with Jason Bittel
Jason Bittel spoke about how to become a professional science writer, including tips and techniques for the emerging professional sciences writer.
7-8 p.m.Nipples on Men, Collars on Crocs: Science Writer Jason Bittel
Jason Bittel amazed the audience with the unknown aspects of the opossum and the squirrel. Wow! The opossum is crazy complex. And we were blown away by the history of the squirrels we see every day. They had to push us out of the door. We wanted to learn more! But more importantly, we learned how science writing could be both engaging and funny!
Much thanks to Jesse Waters, director of the Bowers Writers House, for putting the event together and inviting our students.
Skyler Gibbon and a group of fellow graduate students attended the Mid Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association conference last November. Read about Skyler’s experiences below!
As graduate students, we get fun opportunities outside the boundaries of this university… or county… or state. These opportunities often come in the form of conferences — a gathering of students and professors coming to share their work. This often means creating connections and building relationships with people of similar area interests.
This past November, several English graduate students left for Pittsburgh for a three day trip to the Mid Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association (MAPACA) conference. This took place at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, which is at the heart of the Cultural District (and also has the best taco restaurant around). We all went bearing different ideas to share, from play pedagogy to hip hop poetics. I presented ideas from my thesis: The Rhetorical Influence and Hermeneutics of Hip Hop Culture. I talked about how “Holy Profanity” and hip hop artist use the sacred to express authentic experiences. I have presented on this topic before, but this was on a larger scale. It was not only helpful to hear audience members provide insights for my work, but to also hear notions of using my work in their curriculum.
There was an array of presentations up for viewing, all organized by specific areas of study – lgbtq studies, film studies, religious studies, game studies, etc… Unfortunately, the presentations overlap with each other, so it was impossible to go to as many presentations as I wanted to. However, I was intrigued by all that I did see. I watched presentations from the beginning to end of day, each day.
Because a number of the people I traveled with are invested in game studies, I found myself watching presentations in this, which I don’t do traditionally. I am usually to be found in studies involving a typical social justice connection. I am not so familiar with game studies and play pedagogy, so this was a good opportunity to get more informed. I watched professors dress up in superhero costumes in a skit to demonstrate the value of comic book pedagogy. This fed my curiosity while also being quite entertaining. I went in with the hopes of catching my professor looking like Spiderwoman. I was disappointed that this didn’t happen, but she promises that there will be a costume for both of us next year.
There was quite a bit of play, actually. As a person who is really interested in looking for ways to build bridges through vulnerability, I was really intrigued by one of the gaming presentations we saw together. The presenter showed us three different games that use love and sex themes to build intimacy and vulnerability between players. Afterwards, Dr. Nicole Pfannenstiel co-led a “parlor games” session, where we played a card game that she and another graduate student co-created. This game was a really fun way of practicing rhetorical skills. The simplest way I can describe it is as a creative Apples to Apples with rhetoric.
There were a few chances to socialize, as well. There was a graduate student social, where participants played “MAPACA Jeopardy.” Winners received Starbucks gift cards (because what would a graduate student want more?). There was also a reception and a formal dinner, where leaders were recognized for the labor they put into creating and organizing this conference. As a little outing in the city, I went to see a play production of The Scarlet Letter, which was really impressively done.
Overall and looking back, this was a really great time. It exceeded my expectations. Getting to travel in a car with others to a different place brought adventure to our academia (and laughter). I got to explore a bit of the historically and culturally rich, old city of Pittsburgh. Also, every conference I go to is a reminder of how my work connects with the work of others. I look forward to applying to MAPACA next year (which is in Princeton, NJ), as well as any other conferences that come my way!
If you are interested in participating in MAPACA, do get in touch with either Dr. Nicole Pfannenstiel or Dr. Caleb Corkery. They will help guide you through the submission, travel, and presentation aspects if this is your first conference.
Thanks to the many people who attended the conference to learn more about dyslexia. The movement to get equity in education for people with language-based learning differences is certainly taking hold. We will have videos of some of the conference presentations shortly.
Thanks to Conference Organizers Rachel Hicks and Sara Page Stinchcomb
As anyone knows who has put on a conference, there is a lot of work behind the scenes. Two Millersville University students helped organize this conference: Ms. Rachel Hicks and Ms. Sara Page Stinchcomb. I was waiting until they were in the room to thank them, but they were always just passing through to the next assignment. Rachel and Sara set up the brochures, the social media, many of the emails, the child care, the buttons, the raffle, and the volunteers. They are amazing colleagues to work with.
Thanks to our Presenters and Panelists
Wow. The combined experience in the rooms was so impressive. We learned so much. Thank you, sincerely, for sharing your expertise.
The Day
The day began with 11 different tables, from the Center for Dylexia, to schools and microschools, to psychologists, to organizations like Decoding Dyslexia (both PA and VA represented), to camps, to jewelry. These resources enabled attendees to browse the regional resources.
The Day began with a review of what dyslexia is and isn’t, and an estimate of its impact on school-aged children with disabilities. Dr. Janet Josephson, Associate professor of Early, Middle, and Exceptional Education got the audience members talking and engaged in understanding the foundational scientific data about dyslexia.
Dr. Josephson’s presentation was recorded, and will be available at the end of this week. Her slides are already available. Ms. Page Stinchcomb then told her story about how teachers impacted her life positively by giving her a nickname in second grade (“Miss Math”) and by using multi-modal teaching to give students different avenues to comprehend the materials.
Dr. Peg Kay then explained about how what testing reveals, and how the varied tests can be used to modify instruction to help the student in the classroom. In the photo at the left, she indicates how students who have established an IQ at the higher hand may be determined to have a disability by testing in those areas with scores at the lower hand. This deviation from expected performance is what establishes the disability.
In the past in Pennsylvania, students would have to do so poorly in their classes that they would be in the lower percentages of the population (the “wait to fail” model), but in recent years Dr. Kay explained how the “Response to Intervention” model would work. Unfortunately, many students with dyslexia are not identified in the 0-10 window (by their grade) where interventions would help. The system also is ill prepared to identify dual exceptionals (students with both a disability and a gift).
Dr. Kay also talked through instances of multiple disabilities, including students who may have ADHD and dyslexia or a visual impairment and dyslexia. She noted that vision therapy for students who have a visual impairment (in addition to the phonological impairment that dyslexia is–she carefully reinforced that dyslexia is NOT a visual impairment) is now covered by insurance due to the USDE’s letter-on-visual-impairment-5-22-17.
At lunch, the power panel of Daphne Uliana (Dyslexia and Literacy Network), Rebecca Warner (middle left, Decoding Dyslexia VA, pqdb), Hollie Woodard (middle right, Council Rock School District), and Angela Kirby (right, PaTTAN)(pictured above) discussed where Pennsylvania is in terms of meeting the needs of kids with dyslexia in K-12 and college. They noted that intervention to create a better outlook for students would probably be most successful in getting more training for pre-service teachers or teachers doing their masters. In Pennsylvania, even a reading specialist has no required training in dyslexia. Angela Kirby mentioned that PaTTAN offers many trainings for both teachers and parents that offer scholarships. There is a three-day training in June that might be particularly helpful. The panel noted that only 7 schools in Pa are IDA certified, and 6 of these are at the masters level.
After lunch, breakout sessions began. Millersville University Students Abigail Rissinger (right) and Sara Page Stinchcomb (left) shared their experiences with reading, writing, and school in Breakout session 1. Other sessions covered many topics, from Dyslexia with Anxiety and ADHD, to using Orton Gillingham in the Classroom.
Overall, the day offered significant expertise to the community, and especially parents and teachers of kids with dyslexia. As one attendee put it, the conference “was OUTSTANDING! It was incredibly organized with some of the best dyslexia thinkers our state has to offer.” Another stated, the “organization and amount of information is outstanding and it is so important that so many teachers and parents (and administrators) need to hear and be aware of! I wish more administrators would attend to see what curriculums would be beneficial in classrooms! My never ending battle in the real world of teaching… getting the right curriculum and training to the teachers!”