English Department

Want to make a positive difference? By sharpening your writing and reading skills, you help not only yourself, but also your family, friends, and community. The ability to seek out and understand information leads to informed choices and makes us better advocates for ourselves and our communities. Imagine the feeling of pride you’ll get from assisting family and friends with writing projects such as job applications or writing for their business websites. Consider the worlds that will open up to you through reading and discussing literature. Think of the self-expression you’ll cultivate in a creative writing course.

Literacy—the ability to read and write—is truly transformative. Strong reading and writing skills are essential to any area of study. Indeed, they are key to a rich and reflective life. The English courses you take at UNM-Gallup will continue to serve you well beyond your time in college.

About

English Department

English Department

View of SSTC lower level

The English department consists of seven full-time, tenured and tenure-track faculty with advanced degrees from universities around the nation. Their diverse areas of expertise include: composition, communications and journalism, linguistics, creative writing, American Literature, comparative and world literature, and literary theory.

While developmental English and composition courses represent the vast majority of our course offerings, students may also choose from an array of courses in writing and literature. Whether you need a section of English 110 to satisfy your program requirements or you want to explore the symbolism in Louise Erdrich’s latest novel, the English department at UNM-G has got you covered. You will always be able to find a required English course (Eng 100, 110, 120, 219) on the schedule, but other course offerings vary by semester. Be sure to look at the schedule to see what exciting literature and writing course are being offered in the upcoming semester and register as early as possible to ensure yourself a spot.

Faculty contributions are not limited to the classroom. Many of our professors are bringing their passion for writing and reading into the larger community. Some recent efforts include: teaching community writing workshops, hosting poetry slams, and sponsoring reading events with southwest regional writers.

Top-notch writing support is available through the Center for Academic Learning’s Writing Center. There, students can get help in any stage of the writing process from a professional education specialist and a team of skilled peer tutors.

Students

Information for Current and Future Students

Students may direct questions about the English department at UNM-G to the English faculty coordinator. Phone: 505-863-7602. Email: ckuchera@unm.edu.

Current students interested in learning more about transfer opportunities to complete bachelor’s degrees in English can click on these links to English Department home pages at nearby colleges and universities:

University of New Mexico- Albuquerque

Northern Arizona University

San Juan College

Fort Lewis College

Institute of American Indian Arts

UNM Students

Why English at UNM-Gallup?

Relatively small class sizes mean that students are able to form solid relationships with not only their professors, but also their fellow classmates. As a result, students benefit from ample feedback and support as they develop their own “voice” through writing, reading discussions, and group projects.

Students who are pursuing an AA in Liberal Arts may choose a concentration in English . An Associate’s degree with an English concentration may lead to entry-level positions in business and communications, including: copywriter, receptionist, administrative assistant, and instructional aid. Students interested in pursuing English beyond the two-year degree can transfer to another institution and enroll in a bachelor’s program in English. Within a 200 mile radius of Gallup, there are at least five institutions offering Bachelors of Arts in English: University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, Northern Arizona University, San Juan College, Fort Lewis College, and the Institute of American Indian Arts (Creative Writing only). Let the AA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in English be your springboard to educational and career success!

What You Will Learn

Creativity. Interpretation. Critical Thinking. These are some of the transformative skills you’ll learn in English courses. Through careful reading, writing, and research you’ll be empowered to approach the world on your terms, in your own words.

Core English courses at UNM-G share vital learning objectives.

For English 110, learning objectives include: to write using English diction, grammar and mechanics appropriate to context and rhetorical purpose; to integrate others’ positions and perspectives into their writing ethically, appropriately and effectively in various mediums and technologies; and, to formulate a main idea into a thesis and support that thesis in writing with observations and evidence.

Learning objectives for English 120 include: to argue, in writing, for a point of view using opinion, facts and inferences from primary and/or secondary research; to analyze arguments, from a variety of genres, for strategic claims, evidence and rhetorical context; and, to synthesize secondary research in writing and apply bibliographic citation style(s).

Other core courses in English and Composition include: The Study of Literature, Expository Writing, Fairy and Folk Tales, World Literature, and Technical Writing.

Employment Opportunities and Salaries

According to a 2016 Salary Survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, individuals with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature earn an average salary of $45,438.

The critical thinking, writing, and communication skills that you’ll learn through the study of English can open you up to a wide range of potential careers, including:

  • Advertising
  • Communications manager/director
  • Copy editor (digital or print)
  • Corporate blogger
  • Event planner
  • Grant and proposal writer
  • Journalist
  • Law (many students who earn a BA in English go on to attend law school)
  • Lobbyist
  • Marketing writer
  • Nonprofit sector careers
  • Public relations
  • Publishing
  • Sales
  • Social media manager
  • Teaching
  • Technical writer/editor

Faculty

Contact us. We are here to help.

Professor Robert Galin

Professor Robert Galin

(505) 726-6313

SSTC 152

rgalin@unm.edu

Dr. Yi-Wen Huang

Dr. Yi-Wen Huang

(505) 863-7753

SSTC 142

yhuang75@unm.edu

Dr. Carolyn Kuchera

Dr. Carolyn Kuchera

(505) 863-7602

SSTC 136

ckuchera@unm.edu

Dr. Carmela Lanza

Dr. Carmela Lanza

(505) 863-7677

SSTC 144

eng48@unm.edu

Dr. Tracy Lassiter

Dr. Tracy Lassiter

(505) 863-7592

SSTC 156

tlassiter@unm.edu

Dr. Aretha Matt

Dr. Aretha Matt

(505) 863-7566

SSTC 150

matta@unm.edu

Dr. Keri Stevenson

Dr. Keri Stevenson

(505) 863-7582

SSTC 154

keristevenson@unm.edu