Assistant Professor of English
2014
First and second year composition; creative writing including fiction and creative non-fiction; dramatic literature from ancient to contemporary
I want my students to understand the importance of clear, precise writing as part of their overall persona – in the workplace, on social media, and more. We use text to communicate on a daily basis, often in very public arenas, and presenting a polished image to the world at large means communicating with confidence and accuracy.
My sincere desire is to confront my students with viewpoints that both validate and contradict their own, and to help them navigate the thrilling, rewarding journey of expanding their knowledge of the world around them. This process of investigating new intellectual territory is the cornerstone of the liberal arts education.
Fiction
“A Small Town Vigil” in Barely South, Vol. 4, April 2011
“For Fun, For Keeps” in Specs, Vol. 4, Fall 2011
Creative Non-Fiction
“A Series of Wilderness Related Injuries” in Chautauqua, Vol. 8, Fall 2011
Other
Review of In Envy Country by Joan Frank in Third Coast, Vol. 32, Spring 2011
“A Remedy for the Analytical Blues: Thesis Statements as Vehicles of Discovery” in Writing Beyond the Rules: Juxtaposition, Disruption, and Multiple Genres, Joyce R. Walker and Kristin Denslow, Ed., Western Michigan University Department of English, © 2009
“I can cite Professor Burpo’s class as one of a handful of classes that I do not want to end after a semester. I love the relaxed learning atmosphere she creates that encourages me to push myself for a well thought out analysis of the material. She is talented at guiding discussion to a productive and collective understanding of our texts, and I am leaving her class with a better understanding of how to do that for myself.” – Kelsey Strouse ’16
In my spare time, I enjoy making a huge mess in my tiny kitchen while testing out new recipes. Food is an intellectual topic as vast and intriguing as literature, and I love learning about international cuisine and cooking for friends and family. After years of experimentation, I recently perfected my recipe for macaroni and cheese, which marks the achievement a of lifetime goal.