Just who is a typical CASL graduate? The simple answer is that there is no such person. CASL alumni have a diverse range of skills, talents, experiences, and goals. By “spotlighting” someone every other month, we hope to introduce you to our diverse group of alums ... and maybe you'll see a familiar face.
Name: Erin Byrnes
Degree, discipline, graduation year: B.A. in Women's and Gender Studies, 2007
What are your current job responsibilities and/or volunteer activities? I currently serve as the Program Director of America Reads at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I supervise two graduate assistants who act as program staff, and over 100 undergraduate and graduate students who work as literacy tutors in grades K-3 in Detroit Public Schools. I am also a member of the CASL Alumni Affiliate Governing Board on the Dearborn campus, and am enjoying the process of raising scholarship funds and meeting with the recipients.
Does your career/volunteer work relate to what you studied at UM-Dearborn or is your degree in a totally different field? My current work relates to my Women’s & Gender Studies degree in that I was a member of the Women in Learning & Leadership (WILL) program as an undergraduate, during which time I volunteered as a mentor in a Detroit middle school. That experience sparked my interest in education as a means of empowerment, and I became a New York City Teaching Fellow as a result. After teaching in Brooklyn, NY for several years, I knew that I wanted to work towards positive change in my home community. My current work stems from my studies and hands-on experience as an undergrad.
Looking back at the classes you took, pick out one of your favorites and tell why. My favorite class was: Dissed: Difference, Power and Discrimination. I took this class in my junior year, and it forced me to assess my own social privileges and to reexamine the ways in which I viewed the world. A focus on intersecting identities, along with meaningful group activities and difficult dialogues made this class a stand-out. I still have a copy of the textbook we used for this course, and I’ve recommended it to friends and co-workers!
If there was a “favorite” professor(s), let us know and why. I have two favorite professors: Dr. Suzanne Bergeron and Dr. Lora Lempert. Dr. B. introduced me to the field of Women’s & Gender Studies when I took her intro course at the end of my sophomore year, and she also encouraged me to apply for the WILL program, which was a transformative experience. Dr. Lempert taught my previously-mentioned favorite class, and was the toughest professor I have ever had. She asked difficult questions that pushed me to analyze my own thought processes and assumptions. I always felt challenged in her classes, and as an educator, I realize the importance of pushing your students outside of their comfort zones.