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Contact Information
Email: srysdam@eou.eduPhone: 541-962-3598Office: Loso Hall 151
About Dr. Rysdam
Growing up on a cattle ranch in rural Eastern Oregon, with no television available, reading was my primary source of entertainment. I read nearly every book the small local library and the school libraries had to offer. I wanted to continue reading, so I pursued a BA in English, Discourse Theory at Eastern Oregon University. The experience opened many doors for me: I learned, I traveled, and I met new people. I decided I wanted to continue my education, so I went on to earn a Masters in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. From 2005-2008, I worked as a college writing instructor before returning to graduate school to earn a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition from Washington State University. After graduation, I worked as Associate Professor in Literacies and Composition at Utah Valley University before coming to EOU in 2019.
In addition to directing the EOU Writing Center and teaching various courses in the department of English/Writing, my publications and scholarly interests are in Teaching College Composition, Responding to Student Writing, Rhetorics of Political Economy, Social Class, Labor, Power, Feminist Medical Rhetorics, Doula Work, Literacy, and I continue to write poetry and fiction as well.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, gardening, practicing and teaching yoga, doula work, and spending time with my family.
Professional Credentials
What Writing is to Me
Writing has always been my favored mode of communication. I love that it allows me time and space to craft my message. My most transformative educational experiences have been through reading, thinking through my ideas in writing, and providing these same opportunities for students in my classes.