Kitty Burroughs

Full Teaching Professor and Graduate Faculty, Department of English
Affiliated Faculty, Honors College
Faculty Senate Representative, 2017-2023
Undergraduate Council Representative, 2019-2022

Recipient of the College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Lecturer Award, 2014

Degrees and Institutions

Ph.D. English – Rhetoric and Writing, Bowling Green State University, 1998
M.A. English – Literature, University of Northern Iowa, 1992
B.A. English – TESOL, University of Northern Iowa, 1989

Teaching Narrative

What is the purpose of writing if not to express something meaningful to ourselves or to convey something of importance to others? We write to document our thoughts and feelings because we treasure and wish to remember specific moments in our lives. Often, we write to get things done. And of course, we write to communicate with others – to convey specific ideas, to find answers to specific questions, to gather information, to explore possibilities, and so forth. At a time when the world around us is so saturated with all kinds of “noise” – sound bites that surround us with infinite amounts of information – and when we are so preoccupied with so many things that require our attention, we need a moment to reflect on our existence. Who are we? Why are we here?

Writing allows for the quiet time that we need to think and to reflect – on our past, present, and future. We read, write, and think to find answers to all the “why” questions. We strive to make sense of things.

We write, because in the act of doing so, we learn more about ourselves through retrospection, introspection, and extrapolation – our writing reveals who we are. And for those who partake in this activity, writing certainly can be many things – from fear and frustration to joy and freedom. Especially in reflective writing, we allocate time and space to assess, so we may begin a process of awareness and clarity, even partake in a journey of change and growth.

For the many reasons one chooses to write and for the many different emotions and challenges one encounters with writing, I wish for my students to discover the power of words and to find meaning through literacy. Together as we read, write, and think deeply, I hope we will discover more about who we are – our identities and values, including our place in this world. I am often reminded that our use of language is a constant negotiation of our place in a discourse community. Where do we belong and how do we belong? I am hopeful that my students will have a growth mindset and will learn the skills to convey their own thoughts – to analyze information and ideas in order to make informed decisions, to challenge conflicting ideologies, and last but not least, to have meaningful and respectful dialogue with members of their communities to promote shared goals.

Research Interests:

Composition pedagogy, developmental education and growth mindset, second language writing in composition studies, curriculum development and assessment in first-year writing, writing about writing pedagogy, and inclusive pedagogy.

Courses Taught

WRIT 1110 Seminar in Academic Writing
WRIT 1010 Academic Writing Workshop
GSW 1100 Intensive Introduction to Academic Writing
GSW 1110 Introduction to Academic Writing
GSW 1110H Introduction to Academic Writing, theme-based Honors section
GSW 1100E Intensive Introduction to Academic Writing (for ESL students) GSW 1120 Academic Writing
GSW P1120 Academic Writing (with special topics)
ENG 2000 Writing about Literature (focus on women in literature)
ENG 4840 Foundations of Teaching Writing
ENG 6020 Online Composition Instructors’ Workshop
WS 2000 Introduction to Women’s Studies

Select Presentations

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Anastasiia Kryzhanivska, and Stephen Ohene-Larbi. “Writing about Writing in the Classroom and Writing Center Settings: Critical Literacies for English Language Learners.” Interactive panel, “Critical Literacies in the 21st Century Classroom,” Summer Northeast Regional College Composition and Communication Conference (virtual), July 7, 2021.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Adherence to Co-Requisite Model with Sufficient Student Support.” Ohio Strong Start to Finish Capstone Convening (virtual), Ohio Department of Higher Education, Columbus, OH, May 20, 2021.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Reflective Writing: Building Connections via Reading Responses.” Teacher to Teacher, College Composition and Communication Conference (virtual), April 10, 2021.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., and Michelle Heckman. “Conversation for OHSSF with Sova.” Ohio Strong Start to Finish Initiative, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Columbus, OH, March 8, 2021.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Susan Cruea, Amy Rybak and J. Clevenger. “Thinking, Teaching, and Learning
‘Outside of the Box’ with Classroom Based Consultants.” 21st Century Englishes Conference, The Rhetoric Society of the Black Swamp and BGSU Rhetoric & Writing Doctoral Program, Bowling Green, OH, November 2, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. and Cheryl Hoy. “First-Year Writing Teacher Preparation and Metacognition: Unwrapping the Complex Writing Lives of Students.” Summer Conference on College Composition and Communication, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, May 30-31, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Dan Bommarito, Tonisha Gordon, and DeVona Smith. “But What about Mathematics and English Composition? Academic Pain Points in Student Success.” 2019 Retention Summit, Office of the Provost, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH. May 16, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Metacognition and Teaching of Writing: Students’ Reflection as a Pivotal Point for Transfer.” The Tenth Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, May 13-14, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “Co-Requisite Remediation in First Year Writing Courses.” Roundtable Presentation. Strong Start to Finish—Spring Learning Network, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Columbus, OH, March 1, 2019.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. “First-year Writing Pilot.” Roundtable Presentation. Strong Start to Finish Conference, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Columbus, OH, October 4, 2018.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Cheryl Hoy, Chad Van Buskirk, and Elizabeth Zemanski. “Embracing Threshold Concepts in First-Year Writing: Opportunities, Challenges, and Thorny Negotiations.” 7th Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference, Miami University, OH, June 13-16, 2018.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. and Learning Community members. “Beyond Student Course Evaluations: Communicating Teaching Effectiveness.” 2018 Teaching and Learning Summit. Center for Faculty Excellence, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, March 28, 2018.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Fred Coleman, Christina Lunceford, Luis Moreno, Laura Saavedra, and Angelo Singleton. “Panel of Faculty and Staff of Color.” Multicultural Summer Link Program, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, August 18, 2017.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Vibha Bhalla, Hikari Iwayama, and Sam Touch. “Engaging Diverse Audiences.” Asian American Heritage Month, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, April 24, 2017.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C. and Learning Community members. “Learning Community: Contemplative Pedagogy—Creating Mindful Learning Environments.” Eleventh Annual BGSU Teaching and Learning Fair. Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, March 23, 2017.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Vibha Bhalla, Lynda Dee Dixon, Thomas J. Gibson, and Luis Moreno. “Surviving Grad School as a Person of Color.” Project Search Panel, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, November 14, 2016.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Cheryl Hoy, Chad Van Buskirk, and Elizabeth Zemanski. “Embracing Difference and Interrogating Disciplinary Boundaries: A First-Year Writing Program’s Approach to Promoting Inclusivity
Within and Beyond the Classroom.” International Writing across the Curriculum Conference, University of Michigan, MI, June 24, 2016.

Burroughs, Kitty S. C., Emily Anzicek, Dawn Hubbell-Staeble, Yannick Kluch, and Chad Van Buskirk. “BGP Committee Meeting on ECOC.” BG Perspective Committee, Office on Undergraduate Education, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, February 17, 2016.