Title
Professor of German and Global StudiesOffice Building
Lincoln HallOffice
231Mailing Address
Lincoln Hall 231School of American & Global Studies-Box 2212
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007
Biography
I teach German, the Freshman Seminar AHSS111, and occasionally Global Studies at SDSU. I was born and raised in beautiful Bavaria (Southern Germany), and studied German literature in the US. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in German literature from Utah State University, a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in German Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been teaching all levels of German language, literature, and culture courses at SDSU since 2005. I also direct the summer study-abroad program to various places in Germany.My research interests lie in the perception and depiction of childhood in German literature in the 18th and 19th century. Of special interest are fairy tales, instructional literature written for children, and autobiographical novels. In addition, I research and implement innovative methods to teach languages more effectively and appeal to all learning styles.
In the past years I have taken a great interest in the “refugee crisis” in Germany and have accompanied students to work with refugees in Germany for three weeks during the summer. Consequently, I have also given a number of presentations on refugees in Germany.
I have presented papers and k several keynote addresses at many national and international conferences.
Education
2000: Ph.D. in German Literature. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.1996: MA in German Literature. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
1994: BA in German Literature. Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Academic Interests
German Language and LiteratureLanguage Pedagogy
Language Acquisition
Refugees in Germany
Experiential Learning
Academic Responsibilities
Teach all levels of German language, literature, and culture courses.Teach Global Studies courses
Study Abroad Coordinator for Germany
Study Abroad Leader Germany
Committee Activities
Awards and Honors
2018 South Dakota World Language Association Teacher of the Year2016 Solicited $8,000 private donations used for study-abroad scholarships
2015 Faculty Award for Global Engagement
2013 German 101 Outstanding Course Redesign -Teaching and Learning Center
2012 College of Arts and Sciences, Outstanding Teaching Award
2011 American Scandinavian Student Exchange International and Congress-Bundestag, Outstanding Contribution Award
2011 Edward Patrick Hogan Award for Excellence in Teaching (2 awards per year)
2010 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Award for promoting study-abroad
Central States Conference All Star Award
2009 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Award
2008 Central States Conference All Star Award
2007 Best of South Dakota Presentation, South Dakota World Language Association
2005 F. O. Butler Grant for Classroom Enhancement
2000 Member of the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Work Experience
Professor, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University, July 2013 - nowActing Department Head, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University, Dec. 2008–May 2009
Associate Professor, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University, July 2008 - now
Assistant Professor, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University, August 2005 - 2008
Visiting Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages, Western Kentucky University, August 2003 –May 2005
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Foreign Languages, Idaho State University. August 2000-May 2003
Teaching Fellow, Department of Germanic Languages, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1994-2000
Acting Director of TA Training Program, Spring 1997 and spring 1998.
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Language Program, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1996-1998
Teaching Assistant Coordinator, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1995-1998
Lecturer, Department of German, Utah State University, 1993-1994
Acting Department Head, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University, Dec. 2008–May 2009
Area(s) of Research
My research interests lie in the perception and depiction of childhood in German literature in the 18th and 19th century. Of special interest are fairy tales, instructional literature written for children, and autobiographical novels. In addition, I research and implement innovative methods to teach languages more effectively and appeal to all learning styles.Applications of Research
In 2016 and 2017 I took SDSU students to work with refugees in Germany. We had contact with about 100 young men from 12 different countries.Department(s)
Image for School of American and Global Studies
School of American and Global Studies
Open Prairie
Open PRAIRIE - Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange