Adrian J. Wurr

Assistant Dean of Academic English Programs for International StudentsZink Hall 318
918-631-2810
adrian-wurr@utulsa.eduPersonal Site

With over twenty years of experience in language and literacy education, I have taught and administered a wide range of courses and programs in applied linguistics, rhetoric and composition, and English education in different educational settings in the U.S. and Asia. I have taught dozens of different graduate and undergraduate courses to American and international students in the U.S. and abroad, working with a variety of academic, community, and government organizations to offer students and faculty opportunities for engaged scholarship in both local and global arenas.

Most of my professional work focuses on the acquisition and teaching of language and literacy to culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) learners. I am particularly interested in the use of service-learning and other forms of experiential education as a research and teaching method when working with diverse learners. I have published and presented over 100 professional reports in the U.S. and abroad that examine the interrelated fields of applied linguistics, literacy studies, and service-learning. These fields help to inform not only my research and teaching, but also my understanding of the unique and complementary characteristics of each.

Education and Degrees Earned

  • Ph.D., Second Language Acquisition and Teaching, University of Arizona, 5/2001
  • M.A., English (TESL/TEFL) San Francisco State University, 6/1994
  • B.A., English Literature, University of California, Santa Cruz, 6/ 1988

Areas of Academic Specialty

  • Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
  • Literacy Studies 
  • Composition Studies
  • English Education
  • Service-Learning

Areas of Research Focus

My research focuses on the acquisition and teaching of language and literacy to culturally and linguistically diverse learners.

Previous Teaching Experience

I have taught and administered a wide range of courses and programs in applied linguistics, rhetoric and composition, and English education in different educational settings in the U.S. and Asia, including but not limited to the following positions:

  • Assistant Director of Service-Learning & Internships, University of Idaho, 6/09 to 6/12
  • Academic Faculty, Washington State University (American Intensive Language Center), 9/08-3/09
  • Assistant Professor of English , University of North Carolina, Greensboro 8/01 to 7/08 
  • Fulbright Lecturer, Vietnam, 1/07-6/07 I
  • Instructor, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan, 3/94-2/96

Previous Relevant Work Experience

  • Co-Chair University Metrics Committee, University of Idaho, 2009-2012
  • TESOL Consultant, Vietnam International University
  • Assistant Director of Service-Learning, UNCG, August 2007 to July 2008
  • Linguistics Committee, UNCG, College of Arts & Sciences, January 2002 to July 2008
  • Assistant Director of Composition, University of Arizona, Sept. 1998 to July 2000 
  • Rater, Educational Testing Service, Test of Written English & iBT rater (8 years) 
  • Consultant, Nogales High School Portfolio Assessment Team, May 1999 & 2000
  • Business EFL Teacher, Sakura Yu Yu-no Sato, January 1995 to March 1996
  • Part-time English Instructor, Foothill Community College, January 1994 to March 1994

Relevant Pro Bono Work

  • Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. 2010 to present
          Executive Committee, 2010 – 2012; Conference Chair, 2012; Vice-Chair, 2012 
  • Guest Lecturer, University of Hyderabad, India, Department of English. January-February, 2011.
  • Conference on College Composition and Communication Research Network Forum, 2003 to 2010
  • Centro de Acciòn Latino, Board of Directors, 2004 to 2006.
  • Manuscript Reviewer
         Critical Situations. New York: Longman, 2006.
         Blair, Kris. Cross Currents: Cultures, Communities, Technologies.
         New York: Wadsworth/Thompson, 2005.
         Johnstone, Barbara. Discourse Analysis 2nd ed. Malden, MA:
         Blackwell, 2005.

Professional Affiliations

  • College Composition and Communication (CCC) 
  • International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARCLCE)
  • National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) 
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Courses Taught at TU

  • Writing for International Graduate Students (ENGL 6033)

Awards & Recognition

  • “President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, with Distinction” Corporation for National and Community Service. Principal author of University of Idaho application, 2012
  • “President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll,” Corporation for National and Community Service. Principal author of University of Idaho application, 2010 & 2011.

Publications

  • Writing, Service-Learning, and Community Literacy: A Critical Sourcebook
    Co-edited with Thomas Deans and Barbara Roswell. New York: Bedford/St. Martin, 2010.
  • Learning the Language of Global Citizenship: Service-Learning in Applied Linguistics
    Co-edited with Josef Hellebrandt. Bolton, MA: Wiley Publishing, 2007.
  • TESOL Journal
    Guest Edited Journal. 4.2. Special Issue, “Engaged Teaching and Learning: Service-Learning, Civic Literacy, and TESOL.” Manuscript in preparation.
  • The Reading Matrix: An International Online Journal
    Guest Edited Journal. 11.1. Special Issue, “Multilingual Communication and Language Acquisition” co-edited with A. Suresh Canagarajah, January, 2011.
  • Reflections: A Journal of Writing, Service Learning and Community Literacy
    Guest Edited Journal. 6.1. Special Issue, “Exploring Diversity in Community-Based Writing and Literacy Programs.” 2007.
  • Composing Cognition: The Role of Written Reflection in Service-Learning.
    Refereed Book Chapters. Co-authored with James M. Dubinsky and Marshall Welch. Paving the Way for Literacy (ies): Writing and Learning through Community Engagement. Ed. Isabel Baca. New York: Emerald. (In Press).