Maria Ammar, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

This spotlight article gives all the new TESOL Higher Education Interest Section (HEIS) leaders for 2020–2021 an opportunity to introduce themselves to our HEIS members. Continue reading to learn more about the new HEIS leaders, who they are, and why they are part of HEIS.

Chair-Elect: Diana Estrada Alarcon

My name is Diana Estrada Alarcon. I am an English teacher and researcher. At this time, I am working at a public university in Milagro city in my country, Ecuador. I also work in a private school teaching kids from ages 8–12.

I feel so glad to meet new people who want to innovate and change the normal way of teaching in higher education. Nowadays, teachers of all levels are taking advantage of all the resources technology offers; however, how crucial is motivation for students? Motivation allows them to reflect on the importance of learning English as a second language, which is not just an opportunity to open doors but is as important as other subjects they may have to study.
I propose we gather as much information as we can to improve our teaching in higher education. I also hope to assist students in different fields to get their professional degrees and to realize how necessary English is in their different professional roles.

Professional Development Coordinator: Kelly Tracy

I am assistant director of the English Language Program at Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, where I support our graduate students. I have also taught at colleges, universities, and language schools in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, USA as well as Nashville, Tennessee, USA. My major teaching and research interests include academic writing and language use in digital spaces. I have an MA in applied linguistics and teaching English to speakers of other languages from Georgia State University as well as a graduate certificate in college writing instruction from Bowling Green State University.

I am excited about taking on this new role and facilitating professional development opportunities for HEIS. Especially now, we need to build and strengthen our professional networks of support and share ideas and best practices. I hope to see many of you at a webinar soon!

Secretary: Ashley Jennings

My name is Ashley Jennings, and I am a lecturer in the Department of English as a Second Language Programs at the University of Iowa. I have been teaching ESL in higher education for more than 7 years, and I have learned so much through my participation in TESOL and our regional affiliate in the Midwest, MIDTESOL. I am honored to serve as secretary for the HEIS.

Some facts about me: I have bachelor of arts degrees in Spanish and anthropology with a minor in business communication and a master of arts degree in TESOL and modern languages (Spanish). Like many others who are drawn to this field, I have a strong passion for language, culture, and travel, and I have lived in Mexico, Germany, and Japan. In my free time, I love to read, dance, kayak, hike, cook, play games, walk my 13-year-old bluetick beagle, Abbie, and watch period dramas and historical fiction. I’m also always happy to engage in a good discussion (or debate!) over a cup of strong coffee or a glass of red wine.

My goals for working with the HEIS are to push for frank conversations about issues affecting higher education and the ripple effects those issues have on our students and on ourselves as ESL professionals. It is no secret that we are living in uncertain times and that the field of TESOL is being especially impacted. I believe the HEIS can serve the functions of both support and advocacy for our students, our colleagues, our programs, and our profession. I want to help create an inclusive space for dialogue about the struggles and challenges we are all facing while also providing space for celebrating successes and idea-sharing among our members.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you and work with you all more closely. Feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Editor: Zhenjie Weng

Zhenjie Weng is a PhD candidate in the Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education program at the Ohio State University. She teaches second language writing to international undergraduate students and conducts research on language teacher identity, language teaching expertise and agency, second language writing, and technology use in educating ESL/EFL students with disabilities. In her recent work, she studies graduate-level ESL composition teachers’ identity construction and teaching practice. She has published journal articles, book reviews, and book chapters in both international and regional platforms.