Carolyn F. Austin, assistant professor; bachelor of arts from Rice University; master of arts and doctorate from The University of California at Irvine.
Dr. Austin’s interests are in British literature, with a particular emphasis on 19th century romantic and Victorian texts. She also works in literary theory, particularly feminist theory and theory of literature and the visual arts. She grew up in San Antonio and has lived in Southern California, New England, Israel and the Netherlands.
Beth Barry, lecturer; bachelor of arts from the University of Missouri-Columbia; master of fine arts from Texas State University.
Professor Barry teaches in the freshman composition and Freshman Experience programs at TLU. Her primary interest as a writer is in therapeutic humor.
Robin Bisha, associate professor; bachelor of arts from The University of South Florida; master of arts from Indiana University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; doctorate from Indiana University.
Dr. Bisha brings a solid grounding in mass communication, history and Russian to her teaching and scholarship. She teaches courses in journalism, leadership, public relations and other mass communication areas. She also advises the campus newspaper and feature/literary magazine. Dr. Bisha has published widely on Russia and is currently pursuing scholarly and creative interests in environmental communication and community building. Her scholarly projects include analysis of the reportage of Anna Politkovskaya from Chechnya. Bisha has traveled extensively in Russia and the former Soviet Union and has begun to explore the Francophone world.
Pamela Johnston, associate professor and department chair; bachelor of arts from The University of Idaho; master of arts from Kansas State University; master of fine arts from The University of Iowa; doctorate from The University of Missouri-Columbia.
Dr. Johnston teaches creative writing and American literature with a specific emphasis on feminist fiction. She also directs the Center for Women’s Studies and the Women’s Studies minor. Her novel, Little Lost River, will be published by the University of Nevada Press in spring 2008; her shorter work, both fiction and non-fiction, has appeared in a wide variety of print and online publications. Johnston is currently at work on a second novel and a collection of personal essays on higher education.
Jean-Pierre Méteréau, associate professor; bachelor of arts, master of arts and doctorate from Indiana University.
While teaching at The University of Chad, Dr. Méteréau developed a strong interest in African literature and film, which has expanded into both teaching and scholarly pursuits in post-colonial literature and theory. He has a strong interest in translation and teaches courses at all levels in the department of English and Communication Studies.
Juan Rodriguez, associate professor; bachelor of arts and master of arts from Texas Tech University.
A historian and critic of Mexican-American literature, Professor Rodriguez has been published widely. His poetry and short stories, written under a pseudonym, complement his scholarly work. Professor Rodriguez has a strong interest in interdisciplinary and cultural studies.
Steven S. Vrooman, associate professor, chair; bachelor of arts from Loyola Marymount University; master of arts and doctorate from Arizona State University.
Dr. Vrooman's primary research area is in popular culture. Horror and science fiction film, television and comic books are a particular focus. He is also pursuing theoretical research in structures of audience identification, cross-media adaptation and fan culture.