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Dr. Susan McGrade

Susan McGrade
Professor of English and Humanities

College of Arts and Sciences

Phone: 260.422.5561, ext. 2358

Email: semcgrade@indianatech.edu

Office: Snyder Academic Center, Room 230

My Office Hours

M: 4-8:00 pm
T: 9-9:30, 3:15-3:45
W: 1-3
R: 9-9:30, 3:15-3:45
F: By Appointment

Classes I Teach

EGR2000: Engineering Communications
EET2000: Technical Writing
ENG1100: Introduction to College Writing
ENG1252: Argumentative Writing
HUM3140: Children’s Literature
HUM3360: Black Literature and History
HUM3400: Stories from Around the World
HUM3410: Discover Your Family Histories and Stories
HUM3380: Shakespeare in Stratford
HUM3310: Interpretation of Fiction
HUM3140: Children’s Literature
HUM3330: American Writers
HUM3180: Dramatic Literature
HUM3500: Contemporary Literature

My Academic Advising Roles

Arts and Sciences, NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Advisor

Educational Background

  • Ph.D., English – Literature and Criticism, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2012)
  • Master’s, English, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (2002)
  • Bachelor’s, English, Earlham College (1996)

Professional Experience

 

  • Earlham College, Literacy and Tutoring Coordinator (AmeriCorps position)
  • Bishop Luers, Latin Teacher

Publications/Presentations

Publications

  • “Integrating Literature and Problem-Based Learning in a First-Year Engineering Academy.” IEEE Conference Proceedings. June 2016.
  • Co-author with Dr. Monique Ross, “An Exploration into the Impacts of the National Society of Black Engineers on Student Persistence.” IEEE Conference Proceedings. June 2016.
  • “The Ways of White Folks as a Literature and Pedagogy of White Exposure” Published in Remarkings, Special Langston Hughes Edition, January 2014. Guest edited by Amritjit Singh, Langston Hughes Professor of English at Ohio University.

Presentations

  • “The Racial Crossings of a White Teacher of African American Literature:​ How Langston Hughes and Autoethnography ​Continue to Transform my Pedagogy”, 2023 Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) Conference, Indianapolis, IN

  • Invited Panelist, “Strategies for Inclusive Teaching” 2021 Provost Faculty Summit, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
  • “Awakening Ancestral Knowledge and Discovering (Im)Migration Narratives: Teaching an Interdisciplinary Course on Literature and Genealogy” 2020 Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) Conference, New Orleans, LA (postponed)
  • “‘Lessons’ in Protest and Survival from Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad” 2019 Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) Conference, Cincinnati, OH
  • “Individual and Communal Agency in Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad” 2017 Michigan College English Association, Eastern Michigan University
  • “Integrating English and Engineering Practices in First-Year English Courses” 2017 Humanities in STEM Environments Conference, Trine University
  • “Beginning Learning on Privilege, Racism, and Community Action by Segregating” 2013 Cohen Peace Conference, Ball State University, Muncie, IN (co-presenter with Dr. Ruby Cain et. al)
  • “Strange Bedfellows: Coupling Math and English in Developmental Cohorts” 2012 International Conference on the First Year Experience, Vancouver, BC
  • “It Is Well With My Soul: African American Family and Historical Research “ 2011 Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN
  • “Social Class and Performances of White Femininity in Hughes’ Ways of White Folks” 2011 American Literature Association Conference, Boston, MA
  • “Tech LEADS Initiative: Learning Communities for Students at Risk” (Invited) 2010 Indiana TRIO Conference, Fort Wayne, IN

Why I Teach

I teach to provide students with challenging ideas and experiences, and then to support them through those experiences. I also teach in order to learn – and Indiana Tech students always have something to teach me.

In addition to teaching composition and technical writing, I teach in the Humanities and especially love developing new courses to engage students with innovative ideas and experiences. Please see the following stories about some of my courses:

HUM3410: Family Stories, Family Histories – https://www.indianatech.edu/stories/getting-lost-in-history/

HUM3380: Shakespeare in Stratford – https://www.indianatech.edu/stories/stratford-2022/

I’ve also been the chapter advisor of the National Society of Black Engineers since 2011. You can find out more about the chapter at https://issuu.com/indianatech/docs/indiana_tech_magazine_spring_2022/s/15775487

 

Additional Information

Retention Champion, 2023, presented by the Office of Student Success
NSBE Regional Advisor of the Year, 2022
Student Organization Advisor of the Year, 2022
Diversity Vanguard Award, 2020
Faculty Senate President, 2017-2019
Award for Outstanding Contributions to the College of General Studies, 2016 and 2018
Faculty Member of the Year, 2014-2015 and 2010-2011
Outstanding Student Organization Award (Advisor), 2015
Outstanding Student Organization Award (Advisor), 2014
Outstanding Student Organization Award (Advisor), 2013
NSBE Advisor of the Year, 2012-2013
Outstanding Dissertation Award in English, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2011
40 Under 40 in Northeast Indiana, 2012
Sig Ep Faculty Member of the Year, 2005
“Does It Positively Impact Students?” Award, 2005
“Does It Positively Impact Students?” Award, 2004

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