Nicole Guinot Varty, PhD.

Associate Professor of Teaching

Wayne State University

5057 Woodward, Suite 9205.4

Detroit, MI. 48202

ngvarty(at)wayne(dot)edu

EDUCATION:

PhD. English, Wayne State University – 2016
Concentration: Rhetoric and Composition
Final Project: Ecological Awareness: Enacting an Ecological Composition Curriculum to Encourage Student Knowledge Transfer

Advisor: Jeff Pruchnic

M.A. Written Communication, Eastern Michigan University – 2009
Concentration: Teaching of Writing
Final Project: Becoming a Scholar of My Own Beliefs: Exploring How Personal Beliefs Inform and Intersect with, or Diverge from, Teaching Practice.

Advisor: Linda Adler-Kassner

B.S. Biology/Pre-Med Studies, Lee University – 2004
Concentration: Pre-Med Studies
Minor: Creative Writing

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Associate Professor of Teaching, English Department, Wayne State University – 2011-present

• APX 0500, Foundations in Writing
• ENG 1010, Basic Writing
• ENG 1020, Introduction to College Writing
• ENG 3010, Intermediate College Writing
• ENG 3020, Community Writing
• ENG 3085, Introduction to Rhetoric and Writing
• ENG 3180, Rhetoric to 1800
• ENG 5010, Advanced Expository Writing
• ENG 5795, Topics in Rhetoric: Rhetorics of Space and Place
• ENG 5990, Directed Study in English: Reflective Multimodal Pedagogies
• ENG 6001, Pedagogical Practicum I

Adjunct Instructor, Eastern Michigan University – 2009-2011

• ENG 120, Basic Writing
• ENG 121, Reading and Writing the College Experience

Graduate Instructor, Eastern Michigan University – 2007-2009

• ENG 120, Basic Writing
• ENG 121, Reading and Writing the College Experience

HONORS/AWARDS

• 2022 President’s Excellence in Teaching Award
• 2022 Wayne State Academy of Teachers
• 2021 OVPR Arts and Humanities Grant: Anti-racist Language and Literacy Practices
• 2020 Humanities Center Working Group Grant: Anti-racist Language and Literacy Practices
• 2019 CLAS Excellence in Teaching Award
• 2019 WSU Program Assessment Grant: Composition Learning Community
• 2017 WSU Composition Program Teaching of Writing Award [full-time faculty]
• 2015 American Graduate Champion, Detroit Public Television
• 2013 Humanities Center Working Group Grant: Composition Learning Communities
• 2012 APEX Instructional Excellence Award, Wayne State University APEX Program
• 2012 Favorite Professor Award, Wayne State University Athletics
• 2011 Student Success Award, Eastern Michigan University
• 2010 Most Valuable Professor Award, Eastern Michigan University Athletics
• 2009 Distinguished Graduate Student, Teaching of Writing, Eastern Michigan University
• 2009 Editor’s Choice Award, Prose, Cellar Roots
• 2006 Graduate Assistantship, English Department, Eastern Michigan University
• 2000-2004 Honors Scholarship, Lee University

PUBLICATIONS:

“The (Missing) Human Part: Listening for Students’ Perceptions of the Value of Peer Mentors.” Learning Communities Research and Practice. 9.1 (2021). Co-authored with Adrienne Jankens, Haley Shier and Michelle Borkosh.

“A Question of Support: Assessing a Composition Learning Community for Student Learning and Academic Success.” Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning. 2.4 (2021).

“Correlating What We Know: A Mixed Methods Study of Reflection and Writing in First-Year Writing Assessment.” Composition Forum. 47 (Fall 2021). Co-authored with Jeff Pruchnic, Ellen Barton, Sarah Primeau, Thomas Trimble and Tanina Foster Moore.

Textbook Chapter. “Metacognition and Reflection.” From Inquiry to Academic Writing, Wayne State Edition.Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2018. Co-authored with Adrienne Jankens, Sarah Primeau, Thomas Trimble. (pgs. 51-62).

“The Effects of Student-Fashioning and Teacher-Pleasing in the Assessment of First-Year Writing Reflective Essays.” Journal of Writing Assessment. 14.1 (2021). Co-authored with Jeff Pruchnic, Ellen Barton, Thomas Trimble, Sarah Pimeau, Hillary Weiss and Tanina Foster Moore.

“Ecological Awareness: Enacting An Ecological Composition Curriculum To Encourage Student Knowledge Transfer” (2016). Wayne State University Dissertations. 1667.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/1667

“Teacher Researchers as Local Agents of Change: Exploding the Myth of the Bad Teacher.” With Cathy Fleischer, Ellen Daniel, Lisa Eddy, Kris Gedeon, Jessica DeYoung Kander and David Kangas. Language Arts Journal of Michigan. 29.2 (2014).

“How Creating Class Zines Opens Pre-freshmen Writers to Write Confidently and Think Critically about Rhetorical Situations.” Language Arts Journal of Michigan. 25.1 (2009).

“My Perspective: Personal Beliefs Informing and Intersecting with Teaching Practice.” Language Arts Journal of Michigan. 24.2 (2009).

CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS:

National

“Constructing Digital Learning Spaces and Negotiating Ethnographic Research.” CCCC. Online conference. March, 2022.

“Gatekeeping or Linguistic Justice? Investigating Instructor Attitudes toward Language and Literacy Practices at the University.” NCTE. Online conference. November, 2021.

“’Talk About, Talk Through, Reflect’: Student-to-Student Interviews as Critical Interventions in Learning Community Assessment.” SSRW. Detroit, MI./Online conference. October, 2020.

“How Is it Helping?: Using Multimodal Assessment to Sustain a Composition Learning Community for General Education Writing Courses.” TYCA. Milwaukee, MN. March, 2020.

“Frames and Scaffolds: Building Structures Where Students Can Inquire, Reflect, Revise and Transfer.” Summer CCCC. Norfolk, VA. May, 2019.

“Believe Responsibly: Using an Ecological Model of Writing to Frame Scholarly Approaches to Religious Discourse Communities.” Rhetoric and Religion in the Twenty-First Century Conference. Knoxville, TN. October, 2018.

“Flexible Writing in Literate Ecologies: A Longitudinal Study of Student Writing Knowledge Transfer Into, During and After First Year Writing.” CCCC. Portland, OR. March, 2017.

“Creating Conditions for Action: Designing Composition Spaces for Learning, Enculturation, and Usability.” With Ruth Boeder, Vyautus Malesh, and Luke Thominet. CCCC. Houston, TX. March, 2016

“Building Sturdy Bridges Through Curricular Design, Assessment and Peer Mentoring.” Conference of Writing Program Administrators. Boise, ID. July, 2015.

“How Do We Actually Teach for Transfer?—Fostering Student Choice and Inviting Students to Engage.” CCCC. Las Vegas, NV. March, 2013.

“Going Public with Teacher Research Groups.” With Cathy Fleischer, Ellen Daniel, Lisa Eddy, Kris Gedeon, Dave Kanga and Jessica DeYoung Kander. NCTE. Las Vegas, NV. November, 2012.

“Gateways into the Disciplines: Navigating Different Disciplinary Contexts to Support Writing Across Campus.” With Becky Morrison and Dave Nassar. CCCC. St. Louis, MO. March, 2012.

“A Department in Exile: The Challenges of Contested Spaces and Roles.” With Steve Krause, Derek Mueller, Ann Blakeslee and Sonya Alvarado. CCCC. Atlanta, GA. April, 2011.

“Sharks and Pilot Fish in the Writing Program: Awareness of the Reading-Writing Symbiosis.” Conference of Writing Program Administrators. Philadelphia, PA. July, 2010.

“What Happens when a Teacher Research Group Goes Public?” With Cathy Fleischer, Ellen Daniel, Lisa Eddy, Kris Gedeon, Dave Kanga and Jessica DeYoung Kander. National Writing Project Radio. September 17, 2012.

Regional

“Thin Slice Assessment.” With Sarah Primeau and Thomas Trimble. WSU Teaching of Writing Conference: Sustainable Assessment. Detroit, MI. January, 2019.

“Purposeful Student-Led Transfer: Using Habits of Mind to Facilitate Transfer for College Students in an Urban Composition Program.” With Adrienne Jankens, Amy Latawiec, and Jule Thomas. Michigan Council of Teachers of English. East Lansing, MI. October, 2018.

“Forging Connections: Re-Mapping Learning Readiness for First-Year Composition at Wayne State University.” With Adrienne Jankens, Amy Latawiec, Elsa Nilaj, and Jule Thomas. Mapping Terrains and Navigating Bridges Conference. Macomb Community College. June, 2018.

“Platforms and Pedagogy: Online Collaborative Tools and Tricks for Reading, Research, and Analysis in Composition Courses.” With Adrienne Jankens and Jule Thomas. WIDE-EMU. Ypsilanti, MI. October, 2016.

“Writing Ecologies: A Visual Mapping Project.” WSU Teaching of Writing Conference. Detroit, MI. September, 2016.

“A Composition Learning Community: Cultivating Collaboration, Connections, and Culture at WSU.” With Adrienne Jankens, Amy Latawiec and Jule Thomas. MCTE. Lansing, MI. October, 2015.

“Engaging to Engage: Shared Pedagogy.”With Jessica DeYoung Kander, Pam McCombs and Sarah Primeau. LAND Conference. Traverse City, MI. February, 2012.

“In Search of Silence: Risky Pedagogy to Foster Thoughtful Writing Process.” MCEA Conference. Dearborn, MI. October, 2011.

“Assessing (and Advocating for) What We Value: Documenting Our Contributions to Students’ Learning Processes in College Writing Programs and Writing Centers.” With John Dunn, Cindy Guillean and Kim Pavlock. East Central Writing Centers Association Conference. Kalamazoo, MI. March, 2011.

“Sharks and Pilot Fish in the Writing Classroom: Awareness of the Reading-Writing Symbiosis.” Bright Ideas. Student Union, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI. April, 2010.

Institutional

Co-Facilitator. “Black Feminism, Coalitional-Learning, and Taking Action in Writing Programs,” with guest speaker Dr. Natasha Jones (MSU). Antiracist Language and Literacy Practices Working Group. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. February 2022. 

“GEOC IC Assessment Processes and Pilot.” Composition Teaching Practicum. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. February 21, 2022.

“Developing a Research Team for Studying Faculty and Student Attitudes about Language.” Humanities Center Brown Bag Series. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. November, 2021.

“Developing Strong Mentoring Relationships.” Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. August, 2021.

“Teaching the social features of genres in ENG 3010.” With Adrienne Jankens and Christopher Susak. Composition Program Mentoring Workshop. October, 2021.

“Developing Teaching Portfolios.” Composition Program Mentoring Workshop. March, 2022, February 2020.

“Planning/Drafting Scholarship and Application Statements.” Berkley Public Library, zoom workshop. October, 2020.

“ENG 1020.” With Adrienne Jankens. Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. August 2019.

“Planning/Drafting Scholarship and Application Statements.” Berkley Public Library Saturday Workshop Series. October, 2019.

“A Composition Learning Community in Action: Perspectives from Students, Peer Mentors and Instructors.” Humanities Center Brown Bag Series. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. January, 2018.

“What Is an Ecological Model of Writing and How Can it Help My Students Make Use of Their Knowledge.” Humanities Center Brown Bag Series. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. November, 2017. “Bienvenido a Englés 1020: Developing Relationships with Writing Students in the Chicano-Boricua Studies Program.” Humanities Center Brown Bag Series. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. October, 2017

“Academic Work/Life Balance.” With Shelby Caldwell and Clare Russell. Composition Program Workshop. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. October, 2016.

“ENG 1020: Challenging Projects.” With Adrienne Jankens. Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. August, 2016.

“Academic Work/Life Balance.” With Nicole Wilson. Composition Program Workshop. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. September, 2015.

“ENG 1010: Common Syllabus.” With Amy Latawiec. Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. August, 2015.

“Developing Teaching Portfolios.” With Adrienne Jankens, Christopher Susak, Luke Thominet, and Jule Wallis. Professional Development Workshop. English Department. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. March, 2015.

“Developing a Peer Mentoring Program and Composition Learning Community.” With Adrienne Jankens, Amy Latawiec and Jule Thomas. Humanities Center Brown Bag Series. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. January, 2015.

“Developing Teaching Portfolios.” With Adrienne Jankens, Jared Grogan, and Jule Wallis. Professional Development Workshop. English Department. Wayne State University. Detroit, MI. February, 2014.

“Teaching Reflection and the Reflective Argument.” Guest-lecturer. ENG 6004Pedagogical Practicum. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. November, 2013.

“Teaching Grammar and Citations.” Guest-lecturer. ENG 6004 Pedagogical Practicum. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. October, 2013.

“GTA Syllabus and Assignment Workshop.” Co-leader with Luke Thominet. English Department Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. August, 2013.

“1020 Q & A Panel.” Co-leader with Thomas Trimble, Adrienne Jankens, LaToya Faulk and Jared Grogan. English Department Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. August, 2013.

“Approaching a Custom Text: Thinking About 1010, 1020 and 3010.” Co-Leader with Amy Metcalf, Jonathan Plumb and Chris Susak. Composition Program Workshop. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. December, 2012.

“Generating Productive Class Discussion, Classroom Management and Dealing with Distressed or Disruptive Students.”Co-Leader with Thomas Trimble and Adrienne Jankens. Composition Program Workshop. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. November, 2012

“Breaking into Group Work.” Leader. Graduate Teaching Assistant Orientation. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. August, 2012.

“Key Concepts in the Composition Sequence at WSU.” Co-Leader with Thomas Trimble and Joe Pazek. English Department Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. August, 2012.

“Effective and Efficient Grading Practices in ENG 1010.”Co-Leader with Amy Metcalf. English Department Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. August, 2012.

“Designing Effective Revision and Peer ReviewWorkshops.” Co-Leader with Adrienne Jankens. Composition Program Workshop. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. March, 2012.

“Sequencing and Scaffolding Assignments.” Co-Leader with LaToya Faulk. Composition Program Workshop. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. October, 2011.

“Teacher Ethos, Classroom Dynamics, and Classroom Management.” Co-Leader with Thomas Trimble, LaToya Faulk, Jared Grogan and Adrienne Jankens. English Department Composition Program Orientation. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. August, 2011.

“Learning Process Outcomes: A pilot study.” Leader. First Year Writing Program Retreat. Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. August, 2010.

“What Works for Me: Assessment Strategies.” Leader. ENGL 596. Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. August, 2010.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Strategies for Maintaining Civility, Respect and a High Level of Engagement in the Classroom.” Technology, Teaching and Research: Faculty Development Conference. Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. August, 2010.

“The Smart One: Untangling the Social Web of Literacy Practices and Dyslexia.” Graduate Research Fair. Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. May, 2009.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS:

Council of Writing Program Administrators
College Composition and Communication
National Council of Teachers of English

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

Composition Executive Committee. Wayne State University. 2014-present.

• Co-administer Composition Program with fellow lecturers and director of program

Co-Chair, Composition Learning Community, January 2014-present.

• Head the application and re-application process for Learning Community status
• Oversee departmental and LC office budget
• Recruit and train peer mentors to work with current FYC students
• Recruit and train composition instructors to work with peer mentors
• Organize and Advertise end-of-semester Writing Showcase

Chair, Composition Program Mentoring Committee, Wayne State University, 2011-present.

• Leading team of GTA and faculty mentors
• Mentoring and observation of first-year Graduate Teaching Assistants
• Organizing and facilitating teaching circles
• Organizing and facilitating classroom observations
• Organizing Writing Teacher Award nomination and deliberation process

Composition Program Assessment Committee, Wayne State University, 2011-2015.

• Participating in end-of-semester assessments for ENG 1010, ENG 1020, and ENG 3010
• Serving in ENG 1020 Assessment Working Group to study students’ inscription of reflection in reflective argument essays (August 2013-August 2015)
• Revising Composition Program assessment practices, curriculum, and practice, based on assessment results

Co-Chair, Humanities Center Working Group: Composition Learning Communities, October 2013-May 2015.

• Researching the impact of peer mentoring on Composition students
• Facilitating pilot peer mentoring program in Composition courses
• Presenting research and findings to department and university community

Chair of ENG 1010 Task Force. Wayne State University. Winter 2015.

• Planning and facilitating curriculum development meetings
• Leading team through revision of Course Learning Outcomes based on assessment data and Task Force Charge
• Developing syllabi and assignment sequences for common syllabus based on Task Force Charge, assessment data and revised Course Learning Outcomes

ENG 1020 Task Force. Wayne State University. Winter 2015.

ADDITIONAL SERVICE

Gen Ed Assessment Area Fellow [IC], GEOC, AY 21-22

ENG 1020 Teaching Circle Facilitator, Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Fall 2016, Winter 2017, Winter 2019, Fall 2021

ENG 3010 Teaching Circle Facilitator, Winter 2020, Winter 2022

Instructor Observations in Fall 2013, Winter 2014, Fall 2014, Winter 2015, Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Fall 2016, Winter 2017, Fall 2017, Winter 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Winter 2019, Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2022

Honors Thesis Advisor, Roddaja Mitchell, Fall 2019

Proposal Reviewer, CCCC 2021, Spokane, WA.

CLAS Excellence in Teaching Award Committee, Fall 2020

WSU Assessment Grant Award Committee, Winter 2021