Department of English

In the Fall of 2025 I will begin my PhD in the English and Comparative Literature Department at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where I have received a Teaching Fellowship and the John McNeely DuBose Graduate Fellowship. Before reaching this exciting step in my academic and professional career, I received my Masters in the Humanities with an emphasis in Visual Studies at the University of Colorado Denver. However, my experience in higher education began at Metropolitan State University, which I credit for providing me with memorable tools and learning experiences that shaped my knowledge and nurtured my passion for Film and Media Studies today.

I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Metropolitan State University of Denver's Film and Media Studies Program, in particular. While majoring in Philosophy at MSU Denver, I took Introduction to International Film out of curiosity and chose to minor in Film and Media Studies shortly after. I quickly became enamoured with the history, theories, terminology, and techniques that Introduction to Cinema Studies and Cinema History courses provided. Later courses, like Theory and Criticism, Film Noir, Gender in American Film, Stanley Kubrick, Spike Lee, and Federico Fellini cultivated my knowledge and appreciation for different genres, directors, and discourses in Cinema Studies. My teachers in the Film Media Studies Program laid the groundwork for my interests in interdisciplinary research, using film and media as potent artifacts for historical, cultural, philosophical, and ideological exploration.

I want to extend a special thanks to Dr. Vincent Piturro, who not only challenged me as a student but played an influential role in my teaching and leadership development. Dr. Piturro encouraged me to preside over MSU Denver's Film Club, and present at MSU Denver's Undergraduate Research Conference. While exposed to philosophical insights and engaged in political debates, nothing felt more radical and disruptive than the uncontrollable laughter when confronted with my first Charlie Chaplin film, Modern Times (1936) in the King Center. My choice to professionalize in English, Film, and Media Studies is inspired by these early, formative memories as an undergraduate minoring in Film and Media Studies at MSU Denver.

Aspen Ballas

MSU Denver, B.A. English

MSU Denver is a nurturer of success - I'm 6 years into my education career and still lean on what I learned at Metro in my daily teaching and instructional coaching. I'll be forever grateful for what MSU Denver's Ed department equipped me with!

Hope Morgan, Literacy Teacher & Instructional Coach Westminster High School

After trying to fail out of college, I was invited back to Metropolitan State University by the kind faculty there. After graduating with high marks in English and Cinema Studies, I went on to receive my M.A. from New York University - Tisch School of the Arts in Cinema Studies. After that, I taught as an adjunct at Metro State for four years. I was then encouraged by faculty, again, to return to graduate school for my PhD. I was accepted into the Cinema and Media Studies program at the University of Southern California, where I worked with an amazing committee: Ellen Seiter, Vicki Callahan, Kiki Benzon, and Henry Jenkins, on a project which evaluates Walking Simulator video games through a neuroaesthetic framework. I was fortunate enough to have their support on the job market, too, and after applying broadly, I received an offer to work at Dickinson College this fall.

I benefitted greatly from the small class sizes (often around 12-15 students per course) and the relationships with faculty the size of these classes engendered. Faculty would often encourage me to push beyond course material--molding their suggested readings to fit whatever curiosity I was recently struck with. They spent time with me, learned about me, and gave me loads of feedback and support. I felt a clear advantage at both NYU and USC when it came to literary and cultural theory, and the ability to trace arguments across discourse systems and media forms. I would not have been nearly as successful at either place without my experience at MSU Denver. Also, my experience as instructor of record at MSU Denver was key to getting the position at Dickson, as I had been better prepared to demonstrate my ability to teach a class. I do not think I would have made it to the interview phase, too, without the teaching experience on my resume. Every school that asked me for an interview this job cycle remarked on the quantity and quality of my experience leading a classroom.

Russell McDermott, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, Dickinson College Department of English (Fall 2024)

MSU Denver, B.A. English, Film and Media Studies, 2012

“If I've come to know anything about MSU Denver, it's that the faculty truly facilitate a space where dreams become reality, especially when it comes to our English Department Professors who selflessly dedicate time, love, and passion to their students.

In pursuing my degree in English Writing, I've uncovered hidden talents because professors saw something in me and encouraged my growth. I've become confident, capable, and eager to share my stories, opinions, and creativity with the world which is something I never thought I could say. I used to write in secret, never sharing anything with anyone while hoping one day to build the confidence to seek publication. Now, I know I'll be a published author with the skillset and renewed determination the faculty of the English Department has gifted me."

Read Natalie's Full Testimonial

Natalie Gramer, MSU Denver, '23, English B.A. & Aviation and Aerospace B.S.

Recipient of the Fall 2023 Provost's Award and Graduate Honoree of the English Department

"I graduated from MSU in 2006 with a degree in English and a concentration in Writing. I am now in Executive leadership running an Enterprise Program Management Office and leading corporate strategy. I 100% attribute my success to my ability to communicate in writing, my grit to succeed no matter what, and public speaking. My ability to take complex information and organize it in a way to tell stories helps me motivate others and inspire teams to act. My skills learned at MSU poised me to get accepted to the University of Denver for my MBA where I graduated in 2021." Ashley Kotic Rice, English B.A. with Writing Concentration, 2006.

Ashley Kotic Rice

Ashley Kotic Rice, English B.A. with Writing Concentration, 2006.

"I am grateful to all my professors in the linguistics and philosophy departments at MSU Denver for giving me an opportunity to pursue my interests. MSU Denver is one of only a few colleges in Colorado which offers a bachelor's degree in linguistics. This is surprising because linguistics has been integral to recent advances in artificial intelligence. Programs such as ChatGPT and Google Translate, and even most social media, would not have been possible without research into the structure and meaning of language. Linguistics will only become more important in society with both AI and automation on the rise, so it is more important than ever for people to get involved in linguistics. Self-development was my primary concern in pursuing my college education. I started college in film school, but I became more interested in the meaning of film than I was interested in the making of films. That interest led me to study the structure, meaning and use of language and the many philosophical questions which arise from the scientific study of language. As my studies have continued, I have found my primary concern has always been with rules and how they work in general, something I plan to continue researching in law school and beyond. If MSU Denver had not offered philosophy and linguistics as majors, I don't think I would be on my way toward being an attorney today."

Adam Di Giorgio

MSU Denver, Linguistics B.A. 2017

"I continue to be so thankful for the education I received when I attended MSU Denver from 2005-2009. As a student, I consistently felt supported and had a number of opportunities to work directly with students, prepare and deliver lessons, and learn what it meant to be a professional with opportunities to attend and present at NCTE, CLAS, and even begin the NCTE student affiliate for NCTE.

Since I was a mid-year grad, I thought it was impossible to earn a teaching position in the middle of the school year, but because of my thoughtful student teaching placement and professors who were willing to advocate for me, I landed my first teaching position (2 weeks BEFORE graduation) at Castle View High School (Castle Rock, CO) where I have been ever since.

During the last 14 years, I've served as English department chair, the director of our student media program, and have taught a number of classes and all types of students and learners. One of my greatest joys is hiring MSU Denver grads and seeing them become professional educators. I've also maintained my relationships with many of my professors and colleagues from undergrad; those connections have proved invaluable over the years. I completed an MA in journalism from Kent State in 2020 and have since transitioned to the role of Professional Learning Specialist in my building and am now responsible for induction for new teachers, coaching support for all teachers, and building-wide professional development in addition to my now part-time teaching duties.

It was my start at MSU Denver, my instructors, who believed in me, and the truly excellent education I received that prepared me to be the professional career educator that I am today."

Jessica Hunziker, MJE

Professional Learning Specialist Castle View High School

"I got an English degree from MSU Denver in 2016 and used it to publish a book, write for places like The Huffington Post, and now use it as a full-time copywriter."

Kelsey Roslin

English B.A. 2016

Mariam Boufadize — who is more often known as Marius — will be teaching English in Korea through the EPIK program. He is a transgender man who showcases the strength of the LGBTQ+ community and his ability to succeed after graduating from MSU Denver as an English major and Rhetoric/Composition minor in December of 2022. He wanted to thank Dr. Jason Eric Miller, Dr. Cynthia Kuhn, and English advisor Jennifer Kilian for aiding him in his journey throughout MSU Denver.

Marius Boufadize

MSU Denver, English Rhetoric/Composition B.A. 2022

“I’ve had wonderful professors who’ve inspired me to continue my studies and really get the best out of my education.”

Janet Hernandez, MSU Denver, '17, English B.A.

First student Fulbright in MSU Denver's school history

“Our faculty firmly believe in an open door policy for students. It means a lot for us to create an approachable, welcoming environment for our students – after all, they are the reason we’re here."

Rebecca Gorman O’Neill

Professor of English

My name is Anahi Quintana, and I currently work at Broomfield Heights Middle School in Boulder Valley School District. This is my third year teaching. I teach 6th grade language arts.

The English Ed concentration at Metropolitan State University of Denver played a crucial role in preparing me because it paved a way for me to be successful in the teaching world. First, the English education program at MSU prepared me to understand the content I would have to teach. I remember taking a ‘teaching literature class 6-12 grade’, ‘teaching writing class 6-12’, and 'teaching English capstone'. The books that I bought while I had those classes I still use to this day. In fact, some of the lessons that I created in these classes, with a few adjustments, are a part of my curriculum today. In addition, the lesson template that the professors shared with us, I still incorporate them in my curriculum. It is such a strong resource, and whenever I collaborate with my colleagues, I use that template because it makes directions very clear.

I had the best mentors, too. Dr. Adams, Dr. Deakins, and Dr. Eastman were one of a kind professors. They taught with such passion and love. In my first year of teaching I received an award from my district called Imogene Maxon Early Educator Award. This was a clear testament of how amazing the English Ed concentration at MSU Denver is.

Anahi Quintana, Sixth Grade Language Arts Teacher at Broomfield Heights Middle School in Boulder, Colorado.