Biography

Dr. Sarah Hercula (she/her/hers) is an associate professor of applied linguistics in the Department of English and Technical Communication at Missouri University of Science and Techno‌logy (S&T). She holds a PhD in English studies with a specialization in linguistics and a Graduate Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) from Illinois State University as well as an MA in English and a BA in education (English and mathematics) from Western Michigan University.

Dr. Hercula’s primary research focus is on language variation and linguistic justice; she uses her research and teaching to interrogate how language intersects with other social identity factors in (re-)creating systems of privilege and oppression and to promote inclusion and appreciation for linguistic variation and cultural diversity.

At S&T, Dr. Hercula primarily teaches linguistics courses, including English 3301 (A Linguistic Study of Modern English), English 3303 (The Grammatical Structure of English), and English 3304 (Language in Society). She also teaches composition courses, including English 1120 (Exposition and Argumentation), English 1160 (Research and Writing), and English 5571 (Advanced Writing for Science and Engineering), which are both often taken by international students and students who write in English as an additional language, as she specializes in working with students in these populations.

In addition to reading, writing, and studying language, Dr. Hercula enjoys audio books, strategy board games, singing/music, sewing, binge-watching TV, and spending time with her family.

Research areas

English language variation, language attitudes and ideologies, linguistics pedagogy, U.S. English dialects, African American English, English morphosyntax, teaching English as an additional language (TESOL), second language writing

Education

• 2016 – Ph.D. in English studies with a specialization in linguistics, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
• 2013 – Graduate Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), Illinois State University, Normal, IL
• 2011 – M.A. in English with an emphasis in teaching, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
• 2008 – B.A. in education (secondary level English and mathematics), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI