Ruby Kirk Nancy

4205 North Elsie Avenue

Davenport, Iowa 20806
309-631-4525
r-nancy@wiu.edu
Education
M.A.

English, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, Expected May 2015

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Professional Writing, Expected Fall 2014

M.P.A. Executive Development, Drake University, Des Moines, IA, 2005

B.A.

Speech and Dramatic Art, Mercer University, Macon, GA, 1990

Masters Thesis
"Finding Voice in the Borderlands: Queer and First-Generation Identity in Academic Writing,"
directed by Dr. Merrill Cole (defending in March 2015)
Research Interests
Writing Studies
Social Justice Rhetoric
Queer Studies
First-Generation College Students
First-Year Composition
Technical Communication
African American womens literature
Biography and Autobiography
Refereed Presentations

Success Stories as Weighty Matters: Identity and the Embodied Rhetoric of

Bariatric Patients. Quad City Research and Scholarship Symposium, Western
Illinois University Quad Cities, Moline, IL, November 12, 2014.
Queering Toni Morrison: Reader Agency vs. Author Intent in Sula. English
Graduate Organization/Sigma Tau Delta Annual Conference, Western Illinois
University, Macomb, IL, October 24-25, 2014.
Exploring Identity in the Academic Writing of First-Generation College
Students: Preliminary Research Results. English Graduate
Organization/Sigma Tau Delta Annual Conference, Western Illinois University,
Macomb, IL, October 24-25, 2014.

The Anthology as Literary Banquet. English Graduate Organization Annual Conference, Western
Illinois University, Macomb, IL, October 25-26, 2013.
Finding Voice in the Borderlands: Queer and First-Generation Identity in Academic Writing.
English Graduate Organization Annual Conference, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL,
October 25-26, 2013.
Barriers to Writing Transfer at the 2+2 University: Preliminary Findings from CWPA-Supported
Research, co-presenter with Dr. Neil Baird and Dr. Bradley Dilger, Conference of Writing Program
Administrators, Savannah, Georgia, July 18-21, 2013.
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Faculty, Department of English, Muscatine Community College, Summer and Fall 2014
Courses: English 105: Composition I (two sections); English 106: Composition II (one section)
Scheduled Courses for Spring 2015: ENG 013: Basic Writing; ENG 106: Composition II
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of English and Journalism, WIU, 2013-2014
Course: English 180: College Writing I (two sections)
Nutrition Educator, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Scott County, 2003-2013
Supervisor: Kathy Vance, Regional Program Manager, Communities and Economic Development
Related Work Experience
Writing Center Consultant, Summer 2014
U.S. Bank WIU-QC Writing Center, Western Illinois University, Moline, IL
Writing Center Consultant/Teaching Support Assistant, 2013-2014
University Writing Center, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction, Student Success Center, Spring 2014
Black Hawk College, Moline, IL
Writing Tutor, Student Success Center, Spring 2014
Black Hawk College, Moline, IL
Research Assistant, Department of English and Journalism, Spring 2013
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Theater critic, columnist, and correspondent, Quad-City Times, 1997-2007
Selected Publications
Pair of talented actors power Prenzies Othello. Quad-City Times, October 18, 2007.
Most of A Few Good Men deserves salute. Quad-City Times, July 19, 2007.
Howard Johnson, 70, generated warmth on and off stage. Quad-City Times, June 23, 2007.

The Queen of Cheap: Find plenty of bargains at libraries. Quad-City Times, May 7, 2003.
Student makes a difference: Central High grad speaks out on womens issues. Quad-City Times,
February 25, 2003.
Singer, actor ready for next stage: Grandmothers values paved way for bright future. February 21,
2003.
Coursework
ENG 580
ENG 582
ENG 536
ENG 500
ENG 570
LAS 503

Teaching Assistant Colloquium: Study of Composition Theory and Pedagogy

Rhetoric and Composition: Theories of Writing Transfer
Critical and Theoretical Movements: Queerness and Normativity
Theory and the Practice of English Studies
History of Writing Studies
Tradition and Change: Focus on the Humanities

Professional Activities
Master Certificate of Excellence in College Teaching, Expected January 2015
Quad City Professional Development Network
Workshop Participant, Theoretically Prepared: Boot Camp for Graduate Students
Conference of Writing Program Administrators, Savannah, GA, July 18, 2013
FERPA Training, Muscatine Community College, Muscatine, Iowa, 2014
FERPA Training, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, 2013-2014
Employee Ethics Training, State of Illinois, 2013-2014
National Institutes of Health Certification 1076552: Protecting Human Research Participants, 2013
National Nutrition Educator Certification, Utah State University Extension, 2012
Honors and Awards
Research and Professional Development Fund travel grant, School of Graduate Studies, Western
Illinois University, 2013
Professional Development Fund travel grant, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Illinois
University, 2013
Award of Excellence in Adult Programming, Iowa State University Extension (4 awards), 2008-2012
40th Anniversary Award, United States Department of Agriculture/Iowa State University, 2009
Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, 2004
Marvin A. Anderson Graduate Scholar (research and travel funding), 2004
Excellence in Extension Award, Iowa State University, 2003
Mercer University Presidential Scholar
Service
QC Pride, Inc., Entertainment Producer and Board Member, 2010-2013
Programming and Entertainment Committee Chair for 2013 festival
Entertainment Committee Chair for 2010, 2011 and 2012 festivals
Pride Scholar Committee Member, 2012

Copywriter, 2012 Pride Guide

Bi-State Pride Month Committee Chair, 2009
Editor and Copywriter, 2009 Pride Guide
Bring In The Harvest: a Celebration of Thanksgiving benefit concert series
Producer and Promoter, 2001-2003
Hersong: the Quad-Cities Women's Chorus
Booking Agent and Media Buyer, 2000-2002
Finance Committee Member, 2001-2002
Board Member, 2001-2002 and 1996-1997
References
Merrill Cole, Associate Professor of English, Western Illinois University
Neil P. Baird, Associate Professor of English and University Writing Center Director
Magdelyn Hammond Helwig, Assistant Professor of English and Writing Program Director,
Western Illinois University
C. Bradley Dilger, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, Purdue University
C. Kenneth Meyer, Thomas F. Sheehan Distinguished Professor of Public Administration,
Drake University