Amy Williams
Associate Professor, English
4113 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-2770
amy_williams@byu.edu
I hold BA degrees in English and political science, a master’s degree in education, and a PhD in communication, with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition. I study students’ experiences in writing classrooms using ethnographic research methods. My favorite classes to teach in the PWC minor and track are 302-Writing with Style and 323-Professional Writing. At the graduate level, I love teaching courses in composition theory and rhetorical research methods. I once came home to find the word “Foucault” spelled out in letter-shaped doughnuts on my countertop, so it’s possible that I talk about theory too much.
4113 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-2770
amy_williams@byu.edu
I hold BA degrees in English and political science, a master’s degree in education, and a PhD in communication, with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition. I study students’ experiences in writing classrooms using ethnographic research methods. My favorite classes to teach in the PWC minor and track are 302-Writing with Style and 323-Professional Writing. At the graduate level, I love teaching courses in composition theory and rhetorical research methods. I once came home to find the word “Foucault” spelled out in letter-shaped doughnuts on my countertop, so it’s possible that I talk about theory too much.
Ben Crosby
Associate Professor, English
4146 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-2363
ben_crosby@byu.edu
I am a rhetorical theorist and critic with an interest in history, politics, and religion. My publications tend to focus on the way religious rhetoric makes its way into civic life. As a teacher, I view my students as future leaders, and I endeavor to equip them with the tools to lead effectively. I was a debater and English major in college, which is where I discovered and fell in love with the ancient discipline of rhetoric. I earned a PhD in communication with an emphasis in rhetoric and critical studies from the University of Washington. My favorite courses to teach include ENGL 211 and 212, which is where students develop an appreciation for the role of rhetoric in shaping civilization, and ENGL 335, which is the program’s applied course in professional speaking.
4146 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-2363
ben_crosby@byu.edu
I am a rhetorical theorist and critic with an interest in history, politics, and religion. My publications tend to focus on the way religious rhetoric makes its way into civic life. As a teacher, I view my students as future leaders, and I endeavor to equip them with the tools to lead effectively. I was a debater and English major in college, which is where I discovered and fell in love with the ancient discipline of rhetoric. I earned a PhD in communication with an emphasis in rhetoric and critical studies from the University of Washington. My favorite courses to teach include ENGL 211 and 212, which is where students develop an appreciation for the role of rhetoric in shaping civilization, and ENGL 335, which is the program’s applied course in professional speaking.
Brian Jackson
Professor, English
4111 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-8086
brian_jackson@byu.edu
There may come a time when the internet—cycled and recycled, as surely it will be, by thousands of sleepless robots—will be a wasteland of brutally beige and bloodless content. Words are art; writing is a divine gift. Join us in our efforts to resist the coming blah by studying the art of writing effectively. After earning a PhD in rhetoric, composition, and the teaching of English at the University of Arizona, I joined the team here at BYU, teaching courses in persuasive writing, first-year writing, film and media studies, and writing with style, the last of which is my favorite course to teach.
4111 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-8086
brian_jackson@byu.edu
There may come a time when the internet—cycled and recycled, as surely it will be, by thousands of sleepless robots—will be a wasteland of brutally beige and bloodless content. Words are art; writing is a divine gift. Join us in our efforts to resist the coming blah by studying the art of writing effectively. After earning a PhD in rhetoric, composition, and the teaching of English at the University of Arizona, I joined the team here at BYU, teaching courses in persuasive writing, first-year writing, film and media studies, and writing with style, the last of which is my favorite course to teach.
David Stock
Associate Professor, English
4106 JFSB
Phone: 802-422-3737
david_stock@byu.edu
I received BA and MA degrees in English from BYU. Working as a tutor in the BYU Writing Center was the most formative experience of my undergraduate education. Studying rhetoric and teaching writing in BYU’s English MA program were vital in preparing me for an academic career. I earned a PhD in English, Composition and Rhetoric emphasis, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I enjoy teaching any course in the PWC track/minor, especially Writing with Style and Visual Communication. I also enjoy teaching WRTG 312: Persuasive Writing, an advanced writing general education course.
4106 JFSB
Phone: 802-422-3737
david_stock@byu.edu
I received BA and MA degrees in English from BYU. Working as a tutor in the BYU Writing Center was the most formative experience of my undergraduate education. Studying rhetoric and teaching writing in BYU’s English MA program were vital in preparing me for an academic career. I earned a PhD in English, Composition and Rhetoric emphasis, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I enjoy teaching any course in the PWC track/minor, especially Writing with Style and Visual Communication. I also enjoy teaching WRTG 312: Persuasive Writing, an advanced writing general education course.
Jarron Slater
Assistant Professor, Engish
4158 JFSB
jarronslater@byu.edu
Like you, I want to speak, listen, read, and write well. We want to do these things well because they pervade our lives, and doing them well will improve both the quality of our lives and the quality of the contributions that we will make. My PhD is in Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota, and I'm excited about rhetoric because studying symbolic action can enable us to whatever we want to do better: it can help us to be better teachers, better leaders, better professionals, and better family members. That is why my favorite classes to teach are English 211, 212 and 327. So I hope you'll join us in studying and practicing the use of words and symbols to make the world a better place.
4158 JFSB
jarronslater@byu.edu
Like you, I want to speak, listen, read, and write well. We want to do these things well because they pervade our lives, and doing them well will improve both the quality of our lives and the quality of the contributions that we will make. My PhD is in Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota, and I'm excited about rhetoric because studying symbolic action can enable us to whatever we want to do better: it can help us to be better teachers, better leaders, better professionals, and better family members. That is why my favorite classes to teach are English 211, 212 and 327. So I hope you'll join us in studying and practicing the use of words and symbols to make the world a better place.
Jon Balzotti
Associate Professor, English
4127 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-2440
balzotti@byu.edu
My teaching and research focus on visual rhetoric, professional writing, and experiential learning in the classroom. While finishing graduate studies in the Midwest, I became a proposal writer for a tech company, and I continue to write for companies in Utah while teaching classes in rhetoric and professional writing. I’m committed to helping students feel inspired and supported during their time as students at Brigham Young University. I am always happy to talk with students about opportunities in the department, research ideas, even politics. I’ve even been known to help with the occasional personal statement for grad school.
4127 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-2440
balzotti@byu.edu
My teaching and research focus on visual rhetoric, professional writing, and experiential learning in the classroom. While finishing graduate studies in the Midwest, I became a proposal writer for a tech company, and I continue to write for companies in Utah while teaching classes in rhetoric and professional writing. I’m committed to helping students feel inspired and supported during their time as students at Brigham Young University. I am always happy to talk with students about opportunities in the department, research ideas, even politics. I’ve even been known to help with the occasional personal statement for grad school.
Meridith Reed
Assistant Professor, English
4117 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-3635
meridith_reed@byu.edu
I completed my BA and MA degrees in English at BYU, where I fell in love with rhetoric, writing, and teaching. I received my PhD in Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media from North Carolina State University. Some of my favorite classes to teach include Writing 312: Persuasive Writing, English 302: Writing with Style, and Writing 150: Writing and Rhetoric–all of which allow me to dive deep with students into the nitty-gritty of making choices as a writer. On any given morning, you can find me out walking and playing with my dog, Roger. He’s named for Mister Rogers, one of my rhetorical heroes.
4117 JFSB
Phone: 801-422-3635
meridith_reed@byu.edu
I completed my BA and MA degrees in English at BYU, where I fell in love with rhetoric, writing, and teaching. I received my PhD in Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media from North Carolina State University. Some of my favorite classes to teach include Writing 312: Persuasive Writing, English 302: Writing with Style, and Writing 150: Writing and Rhetoric–all of which allow me to dive deep with students into the nitty-gritty of making choices as a writer. On any given morning, you can find me out walking and playing with my dog, Roger. He’s named for Mister Rogers, one of my rhetorical heroes.
Sam Dunn
Assistant Teaching Professor
4161 JFSB
Phone: (801) 422-0953
samuel.dunn@byu.edu
When pursuing my PhD in rhetoric and composition at Purdue University, a school most known for producing engineers, my classmates and I often joked we were the real civil engineers, that language is the actual infrastructure supporting society. After all, as the band Modest Mouse explains, “Language is the liquid that we’re all dissolved in, great for solving problems after it creates a problem.” As a professor of rhetoric and writing, I relish discussing and troubleshooting with students this vexing, perhaps unanswerable question: how does writing, and communication more generally, influence (for better or worse) the project of building more cooperative, collaborative, and charitable communities? This question undergirds all my classes, but given my background and interest in technical writing, I particularly enjoy exploring it in technical and professional communication courses.
4161 JFSB
Phone: (801) 422-0953
samuel.dunn@byu.edu
When pursuing my PhD in rhetoric and composition at Purdue University, a school most known for producing engineers, my classmates and I often joked we were the real civil engineers, that language is the actual infrastructure supporting society. After all, as the band Modest Mouse explains, “Language is the liquid that we’re all dissolved in, great for solving problems after it creates a problem.” As a professor of rhetoric and writing, I relish discussing and troubleshooting with students this vexing, perhaps unanswerable question: how does writing, and communication more generally, influence (for better or worse) the project of building more cooperative, collaborative, and charitable communities? This question undergirds all my classes, but given my background and interest in technical writing, I particularly enjoy exploring it in technical and professional communication courses.
Shannon Stimpson
Assistant Teaching Professor
4104 JFSB
Phone: (801) 422-0931
shannon_stimpson@byu.edu
I earned my BA and MA degrees in English at BYU and my PhD in English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition from Penn State. I enjoy teaching rhetorically informed writing courses, such as Persuasive Writing (WRTG 312), that align practical competencies with theoretical understanding. As an undergraduate, I was unaware that BYU offered major and minor courses in professional writing and communication—a missed opportunity. Fortunately, that changed when I started the MA program. The coursework and practicums offered at BYU prepared me for success in a competitive doctoral program and a career in higher education. More importantly, the MA program helped me develop skills in speaking, listening, and writing that I use daily.
4104 JFSB
Phone: (801) 422-0931
shannon_stimpson@byu.edu
I earned my BA and MA degrees in English at BYU and my PhD in English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition from Penn State. I enjoy teaching rhetorically informed writing courses, such as Persuasive Writing (WRTG 312), that align practical competencies with theoretical understanding. As an undergraduate, I was unaware that BYU offered major and minor courses in professional writing and communication—a missed opportunity. Fortunately, that changed when I started the MA program. The coursework and practicums offered at BYU prepared me for success in a competitive doctoral program and a career in higher education. More importantly, the MA program helped me develop skills in speaking, listening, and writing that I use daily.
Tyler Gardner
Assistant Teaching Professor
3340D HBLL
Phone: (801) 422-7844
tyler_gardner@byu.edu
After an undergrad in English here at BYU, I voyaged on to an MA from the Graduate Theological Union and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame, where I fell in love with the campus writing center while trying to organize my ideas about American literature and religion. In my delightful and unpredictable journey into writing studies since then, I find myself circling back to what Thoreau called “the one great rule of composition.” “If I were a professor of rhetoric I should insist on this,” he wrote, “speak the truth.” As the writing center director, my work revolves around bringing students together to explore what that means and how to do it well.
3340D HBLL
Phone: (801) 422-7844
tyler_gardner@byu.edu
After an undergrad in English here at BYU, I voyaged on to an MA from the Graduate Theological Union and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame, where I fell in love with the campus writing center while trying to organize my ideas about American literature and religion. In my delightful and unpredictable journey into writing studies since then, I find myself circling back to what Thoreau called “the one great rule of composition.” “If I were a professor of rhetoric I should insist on this,” he wrote, “speak the truth.” As the writing center director, my work revolves around bringing students together to explore what that means and how to do it well.