Alexandra Melina Lykissas
2404 Byron Court
Indiana, PA 15701
Cell: 858-220-0234
[email protected]
Education
PhD, English Literature and Criticism, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Anticipated graduation date: May 2018
Research areas: 19th century British Literature, Gothic Fiction, Myth and Tales, fairy
tales, women’s literature, new historicism, cultural materialism, adaptation theory,
popular culture
Dissertation Chair:
Master of Professional Writing, University of Southern California, 2008
Concentration: Creative Nonfiction
Thesis: The Fight for the Charles, a rowing memoir
Thesis Advisor: MG Lord
Fellowship: 2006-2007 Evelyn Keiffer fellowship for graduate students in professional
writing
Bachelor of Arts, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2003
Major: English, focus on British literature
Teaching Experience
Guest Lecturer
“Lecture on Dissertation formatting and APA style for PhD students.” Nursing Seminar. Indiana
University of Pennsylvania. Course Professor: Dr. Theresa Shellenbarger. 24 Oct. 2014.
“Lecture on MLA and APA styles for undergraduates.” Eng 202: Research Writing. Indiana
University of Pennsylvania. Course Professor: Meg Oldman. 2 Oct. 2014.
Adjunct Professor (44 sections)
Cerritos College (18 sections)
“Eng 52: Introduction to Freshman Composition.” (3 total sections with 1 section part of the First
Year Experience Learning Community). Summer 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012. A pretransfer level course designed for developmental writing students. Students will have
written 3-4 shorter essays by the end of the course. They will also have read some
literature, including “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
“Eng 100: Freshman Composition.” (7 sections). Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011,
Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Summer 2013. Incorporated literature within traditional
composition classroom through the analysis of Frankenstein. Students write 4-5 essays of
increasing length, ending with a 7-10 page argumentative research paper.
“Eng 102: Introduction to Literature.” (1 section). Spring 2010. A thematic approach to
introducing both English majors and non-majors to literature. The themes included
Myth/Tales, Love/Sex, and Death/Dying. Each section included poetry, short stories, and
one play. Plays read: Oedipus Rex, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Antigone.
Alexandra Melina Lykissas
2404 Byron Court
Indiana, PA 15701
Cell: 858-220-0234
[email protected]
“Eng 103: Critical Thinking and Argumentative Writing.” (7 total sections with 1 section part of
the Urban Teacher Fellowship Learning Community). Fall 2010, 2 sections in Spring
2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Summer 2013. A thematic approach to
argumentative writing and critical thinking. Themes included: Terrorism and Torture,
Education, Media and Video Game Violence, Social Media.
Long Beach City College (9 sections)
“Eng 1: Freshman Composition.” (4 sections). Summer 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Summer
2013. Incorporated literature within traditional composition classroom through the
analysis of a longer text, either Frankenstein or Brave New World. Students write 4-5
essays of increasing length, ending with a 7-10 page argumentative research paper.
“Eng 3: Critical Thinking and Argumentative Writing.” (5 sections). Fall 2011, Spring 2012,
2 sections in Fall 2012, Spring 2013. A thematic approach to argumentative writing and
critical thinking. Themes included: Terrorism and Torture, Education, Media and Video
Game Violence, Social Media.
Westwood College (17 sections)
“College Writing I: College Composition.” (8 sections).
“College Writing II: Research Writing.” (6 sections).
“Fundamental Writing.” (1 section).
“Introduction to Communications.” (2 sections).
Faculty Professional Development Program Facilitator
Teaching and Learning Certificate Professional Development Program. Cerritos College.
A 3 semester long (72 hour) program focusing on theory, pedagogy, and praxis.
Fall 2011 – Spring 2013.
Faculty Writing Tutor
Cerritos College Success Center. Fall 2011 – Spring 2012.
Assistantships
Graduate Assistantship
Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Thesis and Dissertation Department, School of Graduate
Studies and Research. Fall 2013 – Summer 2015.
– Duties include: Checking proper University and style guide (APA, MLA,
Turabian, CSE, ACS, and SAA) formatting requirements for every
dissertation and thesis submitted to the SGSR;
– Running each document through iThenticate anti-plagiarism software and
analyzing each report for possible plagiarism;
– Checking each document for proper changes after submission to ProQuest;
– Finalizing each document by scanning into Thesis/Dissertation database;
– Producing meeting minutes for the University Senate Research Committee
(USRC);
2
Alexandra Melina Lykissas
2404 Byron Court
Indiana, PA 15701
–
–
–
Cell: 858-220-0234
[email protected]
Creating final reports for each faculty grant submission through the USRC;
Maintaining and updating a Microsoft Access database for the USRC grant
submissions;
Holding two workshops each semester (one on formatting and one on grants);
Teaching Assistantships
“Race and Class in Los Angeles” (A Social Issues General Education Course). University of
Southern California. American Studies and Ethnicity Department. Professor Sara
Gualtieri (History and American Studies/Ethnicity). Spring 2007, Spring 2008.
− Ran two discussion sections per semester for 150 person lecture-based class.
− Course focused on how the migration of different peoples, races, and
ethnicities has created modern-day Los Angeles. Topics of focus included
immigration from Mexico, the Watts riots, and the 1992 Rodney King riots.
− Texts included: Southland, Twilight: 1992 (a one-woman play about the 1992
LA Riots), Funny in Farsi, Becoming Mexican-American.
“Los Angeles – The Fiction” (Arts and Letters General Education Course). University of
Southern California. College of Arts and Letters. Professor Tim Gustafson (English). Fall
2007.
− Ran two discussion sections for 150 person lecture-based class.
− Course focused on the varieties of novels that have Los Angeles as not just a
setting, but also a character.
− Texts included: Mildred Pierce, The Day of the Locust, Why Does Sammy
Run?
Related Work Experience
Oct. 2007 –
May 2011
Rowing News – a national, monthly magazine
Freelance Writer, including features and photography
Aug. 2006 –
Dec. 2006
University of Southern California
Editorial Intern, School of Social Work
Oct. 2004 –
July 2006
Copley Press – Today’s Local News (daily newspaper in North San Diego
County)
Sports Writer
Publications
University/Internal
“Thresholds and Beyond: Exploring Concrete and Abstract Boundaries, Borders, and Frontiers.”
IUP English Graduate Organization 2015 Conference Call for Papers. Dec. 2014.
“Banned Books.” IUP English Department Graduate Newsletter. Fall 2014. Print and Web.
3
Alexandra Melina Lykissas
2404 Byron Court
Indiana, PA 15701
Cell: 858-220-0234
[email protected]
“Graduate Assistant Handbook.” Thesis and Dissertation Office. School of Graduate Studies and
Research. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Summer 2014. Print.
“Checklist for Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation.” Thesis and Dissertation Office. School of
Graduate Studies and Research. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Sept. 2014. Web.
“School Violence’ Book Awarded Second Place.” USC Newsroom. 06 Oct. 2006. Web.
“First Class of NetKAL Fellows Graduates.” USC Today. 16 Nov. 2006. Web.
“Professor Gets Grants to Study Link Between Hispanics, Depression.” University of Southern
California Chronicle. 04 Dec. 2006: 5. Print.
Magazine Feature Articles
“Call Me Coach.” Rowing News. December 2009: 42-45. Print.
– An article examining successful coaches at all levels and what strategies made them
and their teams successful.
“Club Life.” Rowing News. June 2009: 42-47. Print.
– An article examining different and distinct rowing clubs throughout the United States
and special activities from each of these clubs.
“The Wild, Wild West.” Rowing News. Mar. 2009: 60-69. Print.
– An article investigating the surge of success from West Coast high school rowing teams
and what contributed to the current success.
Conferences
Presented
(upcoming) “’No More Happily Ever After’: The Post-9/11 Fairy Tale in Fables.” Popular
Culture Association/American Culture Association National Conference. New Orleans,
LA. 1-4 Apr. 2015.
“Whose Child is This? Victor Frankenstein as Monstrous Mother.” Northeast Modern Language
Association Conference. Harrisburg, PA. 4 Apr. 2014.
“Inequality in Frankenstein.” Indiana University of Pennsylvania English Graduate
Organization Conference. Indiana, PA. 8 Mar. 2014.
“Greeking Out: Greek Mythology in Supernatural.” 35th Southwest Popular and American
Culture Association Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. 22 Feb. 2014.
Co-presented with Niki Lovejoy. “Collaboration and Inclusion: Cognitive Development
Toward a Growth Mindset.” Creating an Effective Mindset for Student Success. Cerritos
College, Norwalk, CA. 4 Nov. 2011.
4
Alexandra Melina Lykissas
2404 Byron Court
Indiana, PA 15701
Cell: 858-220-0234
[email protected]
Co-presented with Damon Cagnolatti. “Illuminating Individuals: Strategies on Sparking
Connections and a Growth Mindset Among Students.” Creating an Effective Mindset
for Student Success. Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA. 4. Nov. 2011.
Moderated
“Monstrous Maternity II.” Northeast Modern Language Association. 4 Apr. 2014. Harrisburg,
PA.
“Arabic Women.” Indiana University of Pennsylvania English Graduate Organization
Conference. 8 Mar. 2014. Indiana, PA.
Panels
Panel Participation
“Should Plagiarized Books Be Allowed in IUP Libraries?” 6 O’Clock Series. Indiana University
of Pennsylvania. 22 Sept. 2014.
Workshops
“APA and MLA Styles.” English Graduate Organization Fall 2014 Workshop Series. Indiana
University of Pennsylvania. 15 Oct. 2014.
“Formatting Your Thesis and Dissertation.” School of Graduate Studies and Research – Thesis
and Dissertation Office. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Fall 2013, Spring 2014,
Summer 2014, Fall 2014. In-person.
“Formatting Your Thesis and Dissertation.” School of Graduate Studies and Research – Thesis
and Dissertation Office. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Fall 2013, Spring 2014,
Summer 2014, Fall 2014. Blackboard Collaborate Online Workshop.
“Grant Funding.” School of Graduate Studies and Research – Thesis and Dissertation
Office. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Summer 2014, Fall
2014. In-person.
“Grant Funding.” School of Graduate Studies and Research – Thesis and Dissertation
Office. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Summer 2014, Fall
2014. Blackboard Collaborate Online Workshop.
Professional Development
Cerritos College
Teaching and Learning Certificate Program – 72 hour, three-module theory,
pedagogy, and practicum certificate, Fall 2010 – Spring 2011.
Participated in the “2012 Summer Institute – Working with a Diverse Student Population:
Addressing How Students Learn.” June 4 – June 7, 2012.
5
Alexandra Melina Lykissas
2404 Byron Court
Indiana, PA 15701
Cell: 858-220-0234
[email protected]
Service
Vice-President, English Graduate Organization, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 2014 –
2015.
– Duties include: Organizing and planning the 2015 IUP English Graduate
Organization Conference, including finding conference space at the
Kovalchick Conference and Athletic Complex, creating and publishing the
Call for Papers, organizing and coordinating with other EGO officers for other
aspects of conference including catering, registration, and organization of the
conference.
– Running meetings when President cannot.
– Coordinating with other officers about social events, fundraising booksale,
and workshops.
Co-Organized and Coordinated the 2014 Banned Books read-out event, which included readings
from the President and Provost, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Sept. 2014.
Fundraising Coordinator, University of California, Santa Barbara Rowing Team. 2002 – 2003.
− Organized fundraising event at local restaurant, Freebirds.
− Coordinated the ordering and selling of T-shirts.
Grants
2013-2014
Indiana University Graduate Student Travel Grant ($800)
Professional Memberships
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Northeast MLA
North American Society for the Study of Romanticism (NASSR)
Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association (PCA/ACA)
6