Education

Ph.D. in British and American Literature Studies, University of South Carolina, 1995
M.A. in English, Valdosta State University, 1989
B.S. Ed. Secondary English Education, Valdosta State University, 1988

Specialization

19th Century British Literature
Victorian Poetry
Victorian Novel
Early American Literature
American Women Poets
Business Writing
Technical Writing
Composition and Professional Writing

Research Interests

Evolving document design and writing styles in business and technical writing contexts; creating effective strategies to convey complex information about technical services, products, systems, or processes for targeted audiences; translating data into effective, accurate graphic organizers/visuals for diverse audiences; the impact of multi-cultural audiences and business etiquette on business and technical writing practices.

Personal Interests

I was fortunate to travel both in and outside the US as I was growing up.  There are so many lovely places to see and enjoy in this world, but perhaps my favorite is a lush, green landscape.  I live in White Rock, SC, which is a small town outside of Chapin.  My family owns and runs a garden center there, and it is relaxing to be surrounded by flowers, shrubs and trees everywhere.  Teaching is my dream job, and I look forward to each semester at Carolina.  The campus is inviting, and everyone is welcoming and helpful.  When I am not grading or teaching, I enjoy doing Barre3 classes with friends and walking in the gorgeous parks here.  I am just crazy about my rescue fur babies, Angel and Bootsy, and an avid supporter of rescue organizations for all creatures, not just dogs.  The humanitarian organization I support locally is Chapin We Care, a food bank serving the local community.   Globally, I support Heifer International, which helps families through providing animals and sustainable resources in all parts of the world, and Save the Children, which focuses on the needs of children everywhere.