Faculty and Staff

Members of the English Department faculty and staff are available to answer your questions about the various programs and courses offered by the department and to guide you in your English studies. Please visit them during their office hours or reach out through their phone or email. You will find their contact info, current course offerings, and office hours here.

Department Chair

Dennis Chester, Ph.D.

  • University of Washington, Seattle
  • Areas of Interest: African American Literature, Contemporary Graphic Novels, Genre Studies - Crime Fiction and Science Fiction
  • dennis.chester@csueastbay.edu 

Professors

Sarah Nielsen, Ph.D.

  • B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz
  • M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Davis
  • Areas of Interest: TESOL, English for Academic Purposes, sociolinguistics, assessment
  • sarah.nielsen@csueastbay.edu 
Sarah Nielsen joined the department in 2004 as the coordinator of the M.A. TESOL program. She served as department chair from 2013-18 and interim associate dean of CLASS from 2019-21. Before coming to CSUEB, she was the ESL program coordinator at Las Positas College in Livermore, a freeway flyer in the Sacramento area, and a foreign teacher in China and Taiwan. All told she has been working in public higher education for more than thirty years. Whether in teaching, scholarship, or service, she strives to put students at the center of her work.

Ke Zou, Ph.D.

  • University of Southern California
  • Areas of Interest: English Language and Linguistics
  • ke.zou@csueastbay.edu 

 

Associate Professors

Ryan Heryford, Ph.D.

Douglas Taylor, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Sara Borjas, M.F.A.

  • University of California, Riverside
  • Areas of Interest: Anti-Colonial Poetry, Docupoetics, Extrapoetics, Lyrical Forms, Artivism, Anti-Colonial & Anti-Racist Pedagogy
  • sara.borjas@csueastbay.edu 
Sara Borjas is a self-identified Xicanx pocha and a Fresno poet who teaches courses in creative writing and English (Modern & Contemporary Poetry, Advanced Poetry Workshop, Creative Nonfiction Workshop, Beginning Poetry Workshop.) She co-advises Ocaam's Razor, CSUEB's student-run literary magazine and co-hosts the Distinguished Writers Series along with Professor Trinie Dalton. Her debut collection, Heart Like a Window, Mouth Like a Cliff (Noemi Press, 2019) received a 2020 American Book Award and she was featured as one of Poets & Writers 2019 Debut Poets. She has received fellowships from MacDowell,The Poetry Foundation, CantoMundo, Ragdale Foundation, Art Omi, Sewanee Writers Conference, Postgraduate Writers Conference, and Community of Writers. Her work can be found in Ploughshares, The Rumpus, Poem-a-Day by The Academy of American Poets, and The Offing, amongst others. She believes that all Black lives matter and will resist white supremacy until Black liberation is realized.

Katie Bramlett, Ph.D.

  • University of Maryland
  • Director of Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)
  • Areas of Interest: Asian American rhetoric, Feminist memory studies, activism, cultural rhetorics, writing studies, WAC
  • katie.bramlett@csueastbay.edu 

Dr. Katie Bramlett is an Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Writing Across the Curriculum Program. She has an M.A. from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in rhetoric and writing studies. Her research engages Asian/American rhetoric, feminist memory studies, and cultural rhetorics. 

Dr. Bramlett’s research aims to 1) deconstruct the narrative layers of Asian/American history, gender, and activism through the examination of public memory projects, 2) apply a decolonial and intersectional approach to recover Asian/American women’s history and complicate traditional racial and gendered stereotypes, and 3) reconsider Asian/American narratives that have been mediated by anti-Asian rhetoric, colonialism, patriarchy, and race-based violence to critique the systematic racism entrenched in history. Her dissertation, “Genres of Memory and Asian/American Women’s Activism,” was the recipient of the Coalition of Feminist Scholars in the History of Rhetoric and Composition 2022 Presidents Dissertation Award. Dr. Bramlett’s research can be found in leading rhetoric and writing journals, including College English, Peitho, and Composition Studies.

Trinie Dalton, M.F.A.

  • B.A., English/Poetry, University of Southern California
  • M.F.A., Writing/Prose, Bennington College
  • Areas of Interest: Cross-Genre + Interdisciplinary Writing, Narrativity, and Cultural Movements; Artist’s Books, Graphic Design, Visual Storytelling, and Alternative Publications; Fairy Tale, Folklore, and Mythology; Feminism, Horror, and Metamorphosis; Decolonizing Storytelling / Indigenous Storytelling Traditions; Wilderness Writing and Environmental Humanities; Queer and Trans-Narrativity / Transgressive Literature; D.I.Y. Subcultures / Self-Taught + Outsider Art
  • trinie.dalton@csueastbay.edu 

Trinie Dalton teaches all levels of Creative Writing, and English Literature courses in her subject areas. She also advises CSUEB's student-run literary magazine, Occam's Razor, and hosts the English Department's Distinguished Visiting Writers series. Dalton has written and curated seven books that move between fiction, nonfiction, and visual art. Her most recent releases are a short story collection, Baby Geisha (Two Dollar Radio) and a micro-essay suite, Destroy Bad Thoughts Not Yourself, published as a limited edition artist’s book (The Pit Gallery, Los Angeles). She writes essays for artists’ monographs and is active in art book publication; she writes for Artforum. Dalton brings to CSUEB over a decade of teaching experience in English, Creative Writing, Critical Theory + Art Criticism, and Visual Art departments at NYU, Pratt, Columbia, SVA, Art Center College of Design, University of Southern California, University of Redlands, and Vermont College of Fine Arts where she is still Core Faculty in the MFA in Writing Program. Born and raised in California, Dalton is an avid naturalist who studies native flora and fauna. Both of her parents were first-generation college students who attended Cal State universities. Visit her page here. 

Christine Gottlieb, Ph.D.

  • B.A., New York University
  • Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
  • Areas of Interest: Shakespeare, Queer Theory, Disability Studies, Health Humanities
  • christine.gottlieb@csueastbay.edu 
Dr. Christine Gottlieb’s teaching and research focuses on Shakespeare, early modern drama, disability studies, health humanities, and queer theory. Her work has been published in Disability Studies Quarterly, Digital Humanities Quarterly, English Literary Renaissance, Journal of the Wooden O, and Journal of Medical Humanities. Her current research explores queer theory and disability studies approaches to Shakespeare. Prof. Gottlieb is interested in how mindfulness can complement inclusive teaching, support social justice work, deepen learning, and enhance community well-being. She completed Training in Mindfulness Facilitation through UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center in 2018 and completed recertification training in 2021.

Crystal R. Pérez, Ph.D.

  • Ph.D. Literature and Culture Studies, University of California, San Diego
  • Areas of Interest: Latina/Chicana Literature and Cultural Production; Women of Color Feminisms; Detective and Crime Fiction; immigration and labor in literature; social justice and education
  • crystal.perez@csueastbay.edu 

Lecturers

Scott Bentley, M.A., M.F.A.

  • M.F.A., Poetry and Poetics, Mills College
  • M.A., English/American Literature, University of California, San Diego
  • Areas of Interest: Experimental Photography; Experimental Poetry and Poetics
  • scott.bentley@csueastbay.edu

Scott Bentley is the co-editor and publisher of LETTERBOX magazine (on-hold), the author of two full-length books: All Around Noise: Studies in Framing, Synecdoche and Juxtaposition (Cariuna, 2016);The Occasional Tables (sub press, 2000) and Ground Air (O Books, 1994) and three chapbooks: There There Now (Sigilist Press, 2024), Out of Hand(Parentheses Writing Series, 1989) and EDGE (Birdcage Chapbooks, 1987); and the ebook for children, Our Imaginary Friends (Cariuna, 2011). Scott has co-translated the work of Brazilian writer Régis Bonvicino and others. Some of his translations appear in New American Writing (#18 Lies about the Truth, 2000) and The Pip Anthology of World Poetry of the 20th Century (Vol. 3)—Nothing the Sun Could Not Explain: 20 Contemporary Brazilian Poets (Green Integer, 2003). His work has appeared in The Body Electric anthology (Ars Omnia, 2013) and Sex Still Spoken Here: an Anthology from the Erotic Reading Circle at the Center for Sex & Culture (CSC Press, 2014). Among others, poems appear in the following journals: 580 Split, and/or, Bird Dog, Chain, Codex (online), Cor (online), Dusie (online), e.ratio (online), Fact-Simile, Hineni Magazine (online), Lyric&, Mirage #4/Period(ical), New American Writing, nin journal, Otoliths (online), The Poker, Psychic Meatloaf, The Raddle Moon, Rampike, The Styles, Syllogism, Tinfish, Vanitas, word/for word (online). Bentley received an MA from UC San Diego in 1989 and an MFA from Mills College in 2004. He lives with his family in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he teaches writing at California State University East Bay.

Henry Cabrera, M.A.

Jake Christophersen, M.A.

  • B.A., Arizona State University
  • M.A. TESOL, California State University, East Bay 
  • Areas of interest: Composition studies, linguistics, and world literature
  • jake.christophersen@csueastbay.edu

A bookworm who became a teacher, I have always wanted to join the ranks of educators to inspire and inform the future. While studying for my Master's, I helped in many different areas of East Bay including: the SCAA, the ORSP, and Faculty Development Symposiums. I hope to further the community and practices of CSU East Bay!

Paul Duarte, M.A.

  • B.A., M.A., California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of Interest: Medieval Literature, 19th Century American Literature, Composition, Critical Thinking
  • paul.duarte@csueastbay.edu

Paul Duarte received his B.A. in English with a focus on creative writing and his Master's Degree in English from CSU East Bay. He has worked as a lecturer since 2013 at CSU East Bay, Las Positas College in Livermore, and Los Medanos College in Pittsburg. He currently teaches first year writing courses as well as courses in the application of critical thinking in expository writing.

Faith Espudo, M.A.

  • she/her/hers
  • A.A., Napa Valley College
  • B.A., M.A., California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of interest: British Literature & Composition Studies
  • faith.espudo@csueastbay.edu 
Faith Espudo began her college career at Napa Valley College. After completing an Associate of Arts degree, she transferred to Cal State East Bay where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English. She has been teaching at East Bay since 2013.

Tupelo Hassman, M.F.A.

tupelo.hassman@csueastbay.edu

Dale Ireland, M.A.

dale.ireland@csueastbay.edu

SuJin Lee, M.A.

  • California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of Interest: TESOL, East Asian Languages and Cultures
  • sujin.lee@csueastbay.edu

Kimani Lincoln, M.A.

  • B.A., Creative Writing, California State University, East Bay
  • M.A., Engllish Composition, San Francisco State University
  • Areas of Interest: English writing, Rhetoric, Journalism, Composition
  • kimani.lincoln@csueastbay.edu

 

Dabney Lyons, M.A.

Leslie Marron, M.A.

  • B.A., English Creative Writing & M.A., English Composition, California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of Interest: Composition
  • leslie.marron@csueastbay.edu

 

John Robinson, M.A.

john.robinson@csueastbay.edu

Michael Rovasio, M.A.

michael.rovasio@csueastbay.edu

Marina Sapozhnikov, M.A.

marina.sapozhnikov@csueastbay.edu

Karen Seneferu, M.A.

  • California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of Interest: English Literature, African American Literature, Multi-Culture Literature, Composition
  • karen.carraway@csueastbay.edu

Michelle St. George, M.A.

  • California State University, San Marcos
  • Areas of Interest: Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Composition Pedagogies, Formative Teaching Observations, First-Year Composition (FYC)
  • michelle.stgeorge@csueastbay.edu 

Michelle St. George is a three-year lecturer in the English Department with an interest in composition studies and first-year writing. She currently teaches courses in writing, composition, and English education. Michelle's main focus is first-year writing, though she is also interested in formative teaching observations and works to promote a culture of formative observation in higher education. Michelle currently represents lecturers on the CSUEB Academic Senate and serves as a Faculty in Residence, leading the "Supporting our First-Year Writers" Faculty Learning Community. Michelle is a proud product of the CSU (Vox, Veritas, Vita!) and completed graduate school at CSU San Marcos, where she was a GE Writing instructor. She has also taught English in Wuzhai, China, as well as Bupyeong, South Korea. For more information about Michelle, visit her faculty profile.

ChenXia Zhu, M.A.

  • B.S., The State University of New York at Old Westbury
  • M.A. TESOL, California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of Interest: Creative Nonfiction, Cross-disciplinary Written Communication
  • chenxia.zhu@csueastbay.edu 

Chenxia Zhu, holding a B.S. from SUNY, Old Westbury, and an M.A. in English (TESOL Option) from CSU, East Bay, has been a lecturer in the Department of English since 2012. Specializing in writing and composition courses, she is dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment through equity-based pedagogy that empowers students of diverse backgrounds with critical thinking, rhetorical sensitivity, and a growth mindset.

Emeritus Faculty

Eileen Barrett, Ph.D.

Debra Barrett-Graves, Ph.D.

Christopher Blood, M.A.

  • State University of New York at Buffalo
  • California State University, East Bay
  • Areas of Interest: Composition/Rhetoric; American Literature (19th and 20th Century); European Renaissance Literature (17th Century); Literary Geography and Environmental Lit; Film Studies
  • christopher.blood@csueastbay.edu 
Born and Raised in UpState New York; Italian/Welsh/Russian/British/French-American; lover of all things: Literature, Film, Rhetoric/Writing, NY Yankees, Sierra Nevada, and quality pizza.

Charles DeBose, Ph.D.

Jacqueline Doyle, Ph.D.

Jacob Fuchs, Ph.D.

Susan Gubernat, M.F.A.

Stephen Gutierrez, M.F.A.

K.M. Lant, Ph.D.

Eve M. Lynch, Ph.D.

Sara McAulay, M.A

Margaret Rustick, Ph.D.

  • M.A., San Diego State University
  • Ph.D., Washington State University
  • Areas of Interest: Rhetoric and Composition, English Education, TESOL, 20th Century American Lit
  • margaret.rustick@csueastbay.edu 
Margaret Rustick received her MA in English from San Diego State University in 1990 and her PhD from Washington State in 2000. Her primary interests are in policies and trends that impact the study and teaching of English, with an emphasis on rhetoric and composition.

Marilyn Silva, Ph.D.

Alison Warriner, Ph.D.

Administrative Support Coordinator

Kyle Doan

  • she/her/hers
  • B.A., California State University, East Bay
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