海角社区

鈥淚f I've come to know anything about 海角社区, it's that the faculty truly facilitate a space where dreams become reality, especially when it comes to our English Department听Professors who selflessly dedicate time, love, and passion to their students.

In pursuing my degree in English Writing, I've uncovered hidden talents because professors saw something in me and encouraged my growth. I've become confident, capable, and eager to share my stories, opinions, and creativity with the world which is something I never thought I could say. I used to write in secret, never sharing anything with anyone while hoping one day to build the confidence to seek publication. Now, I know I'll be a published author with the skillset and renewed determination the faculty of the English Department has gifted me."

Read Natalie's Full Testimonial

Natalie Gramer, 海角社区, '23, English B.A. & Aviation and Aerospace B.S.

Recipient of the Fall 2023 Provost's Award and Graduate Honoree of the English Department

鈥淚鈥檝e had wonderful professors who鈥檝e inspired me to continue my studies and really get the best out of my education.鈥�

Janet Hernandez, 海角社区, '17, English B.A.

First student Fulbright in 海角社区's school history

"I got an English degree from 海角社区 in 2016 and used it to publish a book, write for places like The Huffington Post, and now use it as a full-time copywriter."

Kelsey Roslin

English B.A. 2016

I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Metropolitan State University of Denver's Film and Media Studies Program, in particular. While majoring in Philosophy at 海角社区, I took Introduction to International Film out of curiosity and chose to minor in Film and Media Studies shortly after. I quickly became enamoured with the history, theories, terminology, and techniques that Introduction to Cinema Studies and Cinema History courses provided. Later courses, like Theory and Criticism, Film Noir, Gender in American Film, Stanley Kubrick, Spike Lee, and Federico Fellini cultivated my knowledge and appreciation for different genres, directors, and discourses in Cinema Studies. My teachers in the Film Media Studies Program laid the groundwork for my interests in interdisciplinary research, using film and media as potent artifacts for historical, cultural, philosophical, and ideological exploration.

Aspen Ballas

海角社区, B.A. English

海角社区 is a nurturer of success - I'm 6 years into my education career and still lean on what I learned at 海角社区 in my daily teaching and instructional coaching. I'll be forever grateful for what 海角社区's Ed department equipped me with!

Hope Morgan

Literacy Teacher & Instructional Coach Westminster High School

After trying to fail out of college, I was invited back to Metropolitan State University of Denver by the kind faculty there. After graduating with high marks in English and Cinema Studies, I went on to receive my M.A. from New York University - Tisch School of the Arts in Cinema Studies. After that, I taught as an adjunct at 海角社区 for four years. I was then encouraged by faculty, again, to return to graduate school for my PhD. I was accepted into the Cinema and Media Studies program at the University of Southern California, where I worked with an amazing committee: Ellen Seiter, Vicki Callahan, Kiki Benzon, and Henry Jenkins, on a project which evaluates Walking Simulator video games through a neuroaesthetic framework. I was fortunate enough to have their support on the job market, too, and after applying broadly, I received an offer to work at Dickinson College this fall.

Russell McDermott, Ph.D.

海角社区, B.A. English, Film, and Media Studies, 2012

I graduated from 海角社区 in 2006 with a degree in English and a concentration in Writing. I am now in Executive leadership running an Enterprise Program Management Office and leading corporate strategy. I 100% attribute my success to my ability to communicate in writing, my grit to succeed no matter what, and public speaking. My ability to take complex information and organize it in a way to tell stories helps me motivate others and inspire teams to act. My skills learned at 海角社区 poised me to get accepted to the University of Denver for my MBA where I graduated in 2021.

Ashley Kotic Rice

English B.A. with Writing Concentration, 2006

I am grateful to all my professors in the linguistics and philosophy departments at 海角社区 for giving me an opportunity to pursue my interests. 海角社区 is one of only a few colleges in Colorado which offers a bachelor's degree in linguistics. This is surprising because linguistics has been integral to recent advances in artificial intelligence. Programs such as ChatGPT and Google Translate, and even most social media, would not have been possible without research into the structure and meaning of language. Linguistics will only become more important in society with both AI and automation on the rise, so it is more important than ever for people to get involved in linguistics.

Self-development was my primary concern in pursuing my college education. I started college in film school, but I became more interested in the meaning of film than I was interested in the making of films. That interest led me to study the structure, meaning and use of language and the many philosophical questions which arise from the scientific study of language. As my studies have continued, I have found my primary concern has always been with rules and how they work in general, something I plan to continue researching in law school and beyond. If 海角社区 had not offered philosophy and linguistics as majors, I don't think I would be on my way toward being an attorney today.

Adam di Giorgio

海角社区, B.A. Linguistics

I continue to be so thankful for the education I received when I attended 海角社区 from 2005-2009. As a student, I consistently felt supported and had a number of opportunities to work directly with students, prepare and deliver lessons, and learn what it meant to be a professional with opportunities to attend and present at NCTE, CLAS, and even begin the NCTE student affiliate for NCTE.

It was my start at 海角社区, my instructors, who believed in me, and the truly excellent education I received that prepared me to be the professional career educator that I am today.

Jessica Hunziker, MJE

Professional Learning Specialist Castle View High School

My name is Anahi Quintana, and I currently work at Broomfield Heights Middle School in Boulder Valley School District. This is my third year teaching. I teach 6th grade language arts.

The English Ed concentration at Metropolitan State University of Denver played a crucial role in preparing me because it paved a way for me to be successful in the teaching world. First, the English education program at 海角社区 prepared me to understand the content I would have to teach. I remember taking a 鈥榯eaching literature class 6-12 grade鈥�, 鈥榯eaching writing class 6-12鈥�, and 'teaching English capstone'. The books that I bought while I had those classes I still use to this day. In fact, some of the lessons that I created in these classes, with a few adjustments, are a part of my curriculum today. In addition, the lesson template that the professors shared with us, I still incorporate them in my curriculum. It is such a strong resource, and whenever I collaborate with my colleagues, I use that template because it makes directions very clear.

I had the best mentors, too. Dr. Adams, Dr. Deakins, and Dr. Eastman were one of a kind professors. They taught with such passion and love. In my first year of teaching I received an award from my district called Imogene Maxon Early Educator Award. This was a clear testament of how amazing the English Ed concentration at 海角社区 is.

Anahi Quintana

Sixth Grade Language Arts Teacher at Broomfield Heights Middle School in Boulder