Lissette Lopez Szwydky, Ph.D.
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Diversity, Outreach, and Other Service Presentations

  • “Alt-Ac Experience on the Tenure Track.” Invited presentation for the “Humanities Beyond Humanities” special session organized by the MLA Committee on the Status of Graduate Students in the Profession, Modern Language Association Annual Convention (MLA 2016). Austin, Texas (to be presented January 2016).
  • “How to Read the University: Understanding Obstacles and Opportunities for First-Generation College Students.” Co-presented with Geffrey Davis. Diversity Leadership Institute for student leaders co-sponsored by University Housing and Student Affairs, University of Arkansas. Fayetteville, Arkansas (April 2015).
  • “Alt-Ac and the Academic Track.” Alumni panel “Transitioning to Professional Life” organized for the Mentoring Program for Graduate Students in English, Penn State University. State College, Pennsylvania (April 2015). 
  • Organizer and Presenter, “Professionalization Series for English Graduate Students,” University of Arkansas. Included several presentations on preparing job documents, interviewing, publishing, and alt-ac career exploration. (2014-2015 academic year).
  • “Using Blogs and Wikis in the Classroom.” English Department Pedagogy Series, University of Arkansas (November 2014).
  • “Alternative Academic Careers.” Roundtable Discussion sponsored by the Graduate Students in English (GSE), University of Arkansas (April 2014).
  • “Effective Email Communication in the Global Workplace.” Penn State’s Public Writing Initiative Guest Lecturer in Business Writing course, Penn State University (November 2012).
  • Organizer and facilitator, “Photo of woman with facial hair leads to conversation, understanding.”  Diversity Brown Bag Discussion, Office of Global Programs, Penn State University (October 2012).
  • “Communicating Across Cultures and Generations in the Global Workplace.” Penn State’s Public Writing Initiative Guest Lecturer for Freshman First-Year Seminar, Penn State U (October 2012).
  • Panelist, “Multicultural Women in Leadership.” College of Health and Human Development Women’s Leadership Initiative, Penn State University (September 2012).
  • “Creating a Welcoming Campus Climate for Diversity.” Presentation to faculty and staff at Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus. Wilkes-Barre, PA (August 2012).
  • “Alternative Careers in Higher Education for Humanities Ph.D.s.” English Department, Penn State University (April 2012).
  • Discussion Leader, The Dickens Universe 2007: Pickwick Papers. The Dickens Project: University of California-Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, CA (August 2007).
  • Organizer and presenter, “Personal Statement Workshop.” Applying to the PhD Program.  English Graduate Organization, Penn State University (October 2004).
  • “CourseTalk in the Freshman Composition Classroom,” Beyond the 602: Brown Bag Lunch for Instructors. English Department, Penn State University (November 2001).

University Service and Leadership

Service and Leadership at the University of Arkansas

University- and College-Level
  • Faculty in Residence, University Housing, University-Wide Service (August 2014-present- --  - Co-presenter, Diversity Leadership Institute (April 2015)
         - Organizer, “Arts & Sciences Open House Poster Fair @ The Quad” (April 2015)
         - Organizer, “Frankenstein Film Series” (6 meetings, Spring 2015)
         - Organizer and moderator, “Talking Dead @ The Quad” (12 meetings, 2014-2015)
  • University of Arkansas Life Raft Debate, University Housing and Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences (Moderator: 2014, 2016. Participant: 2015)
  • Fulbright College Career Champions, collaboration with University Career Center (August 2014-present)    

Department-Level
  • Job Placement Co-Director for Graduate Students, English Department (August 2014-2017) 
  • Undergraduate Studies Committee, English Department (August 2014-present)
  • Diversity Committee, English Department (August 2013-present)
  • Gender and Sexuality Studies in English Coordinator (March 2014-present)
  • Faculty Development Committee, English Department (August 2013-present)
  • Library Committee, English Department (December 2013-2017)

Service and Leadership at Penn State University

University- and College-Level
  • President’s Equity Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (CORED) (2010-2013)
    - Staff Issues Management Team Co-Chair (2012-2013)
    - Commission Co-Chair (2011-2012); served as Co-Chair Elect (2011)
    - Secretary and Academic Team Member (2010-2011)
  • Penn State Emerging Leaders (2012)
  • Penn State Diversity Educators Network, Office of Affirmative Action (2012-2013)
  • College of Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor (August 2012-May 2013)
  • FastStart Mentor for first-generation college students from underrepresented backgrounds, University Alumni Association (2010-2011; 2012-2013)

Unit/Department-Level
  • Chair, Diversity Implementation Team, University Office of Global Programs (2011-2013)
  • Teaching Mentor, English Department (2008-2009)
  • English Graduate Organization, President (2005-2006); Ph.D. Representative (2004-2005)
  • Faculty Hiring Committee, 19th Century British Literature and Culture (2003-2004) 

Additional Community Engagement

University of Miami Hurricane Cheerleaders (1996-2000)
Promoted the University to alumni and corporate donors at fundraising events.
Participated in community outreach programs with Miami-Dade County public schools and Miami Children’s Hospital.

  • Home
  • Research
  • Blogs, Podcasts, & Interviews
    • NEH Institute 2018
  • Conference Talks
    • MLA 2020
    • MLA 2019
    • MLA 2018
    • MLA 2017
  • Teaching
  • Education & Awards
  • Media/News Archive