From learning how to improve academic writing and engaging with age-old philosophies to analyzing literature and studying foreign languages, the English department at WCJC offers it all. Learn the foundations of composition, critical thinking, and research in this English degree program designed to immerse you in all areas of literature and language.
After graduating from WCJC’s English program, you’ll be well-prepared to transfer to a four-year institution to earn your Bachelor of Arts. With a B.A. in English, you can find a rewarding career in a number of roles, including:
Find more information, including wages and education requirements, on Career Coach!
Tom-Kody Krpec received his B.A. in Humanities-English and M.F.A. in Creative Writing
from the University of Houston-Victoria. He began teaching at WCJC in the fall of
2017. He has taught classes in developmental reading and writing and English in traditional
and hybrid classroom settings.
Office: Sugar Land Campus, Brazos Hall 245
Phone: 281-243-8508
Email: krpect@wcjc.edu
Hector Weir earned his A.A. degree in English from Blinn College in 2006 and graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in Spanish and Anthropology in 2009. He completed his graduated work at the Texas A&M University Department of Hispanic Studies where he earned his M.A. in 2011 and Ph.D. in 2016. His research interests include Religion in Literature, Contemporary Latin-American Literature and Film, and Cultural Studies. In addition to teaching, Dr. Weir enjoys spending time with his family, coaching soccer, and playing the guitar.
Office: Richmond Campus, 240-F
Phone: 281-239-1681
Email: WeirH@wcjc.edu
Don Cavin received a B.A. in English from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX, and an M.A. in English from the University of College Cork in Cork, Ireland. He has taught English composition, developmental reading and writing, and English as a second language. Before joining WCJC, he held teaching positions at Houston Community College and Anhui University of Finance and Economics in Bengbu, China.
Office: Richmond Campus, 240-G
Phone: 281-239-6401
Email: CavinD@wcjc.edu
Jackie Cooper-Edwards has more than 18 years of experience in education. Prior to
joining the WCJC faculty as an adjunct instructor in 2006, she began her educational
career as a Language Arts teacher at the junior-high and high-school levels. She earned
her B.A. (English) from Fisk University and her M.A. (English) from Texas Southern
University. Most recently, she earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from
the University of Houston. She currently teaches English Composition 1301 and 1302
on the main campus.
Office: Richmond Campus, 225-C
Phone: 281-239-1587
Email: edwardsj@wcjc.edu
Jamar Isip holds a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University-Commerce (2015), an MA (2011), and a BA (2008), both in English, from California State University, Fullerton, and an AA in English from Long Beach City College (2004). His academic interests include Early American Literature (especially Benjamin Franklin and Louisa May Alcott), rhetoric, children's literature, comics and graphic novels, the Bible, the Classics, Shakespeare, contemporary theater, film, theory (especially Metamodernism), and creative writing.
Office: Richmond Campus, 140-D
Phone:
Email: isipj@wcjc.edu
Nathan King received his Ph.D. in Humanities-Studies in Literature from the University
of Texas at Dallas in 2019. His dissertation, “A Dialogic Reading of Alejo Carpentier’s
The Kingdom of This World,” focused on the intersection of history, music, and identity
in Carpentier’s novel. His areas of academic interest are fantastic and neo-Baroque
literature, modernism, and musical aesthetics.
Office: Richmond Campus, 140-I
Phone: 281-239-1565
Email: kingn@wcjc.edu
Patrick Laskey has taught across the United States, Europe, and the West Indies in a variety of subjects—including English, theater, translation, and language acquisition—and has won awards for both teaching and writing. His writing includes academic, journalistic, commercial, and creative work across genres, languages, and regions. His published creative work includes original, adapted, and translated plays as well as original and self-translated short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. His most recent projects are live performances of his short stories by professional actors at two events in Northern California; chapter and editorial contributions to Practical Writing for a Technical World, a new textbook for English 1301 and 1302 (in line with Texas state standards); and fresh translations of the works of Federico García Lorca for the contemporary stage including a professional concert reading of The Good Woman of Granada (a translation of Mariana Pineda).
Office: Richmond Campus, 140-D
Phone:
Email: LaskeyP@wcjc.edu
Karen Lescure graduated with her master’s degree in English in 1997 and teaches English
at the Sugar Land campus. She has been a full-time faculty member since the fall of
2004. In addition to teaching English, Karen enjoys writing in her spare time and
has published a narrative in the Houston Chronicle's Texas Magazine.
Office: Sugar Land Campus, Brazos Hall 213
Phone: 281-243-8530
Email: karenl@wcjc.edu
Santiago Lopez has a B.S in Psychology and a B.A. in English from the University of Houston, and an M.A. in English from New Mexico State University. He teaches Composition I and II, and American Literature at WCJC’s Sugar Land Campus. His academic interests include the works of William Shakespeare, the military in literature, and poetry of the U.S. from the Civil War era through post WWII.
Office: Sugar Land Campus, Brazos Hall 128
Phone: 281-243-8408
Email: lopezs@wcjc.edu
Joy Magowan began teaching for Wharton Community Junior College in Fall 2012. Previously,
Dr. Magowan taught for the U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools and the University
of Maryland University College Europe, living outside of the United States for 26
years. Dr. Magowan received an M.A. from Arizona State University in 1984 and a Ph.D.
from the University of Oklahoma in 2006.
Office: Richmond Campus, 140-I
Phone: 281-239-1562
Email: magowanj@wcjc.edu
Biography coming soon.
Office: Wharton Campus, Science Building 209
Phone:
Email: parishj@wcjc.edu
Julieta Rodriguez obtained her Bachelor’s in Humanities with a concentration in English
from the University of Houston - Victoria in 2013. She went on to simultaneously obtain
a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Master of Science in Publishing from
the University of Houston - Victoria in 2017. She has been teaching first-year writing
courses and professional writing courses since 2017. When she isn't teaching, Julieta
is busy polishing her first novel, Dragon.
Office: Wharton Campus, Peace Building, 108-A
Phone: 979-532-6318
Email: rodriguezj@wcjc.edu
Angelique Sakry joined WCJC in the fall of 2009. She has taught English Composition
1301 and 1302 for the past 10 years as an adjunct instructor. She received her undergraduate
degree through Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, and her master's degree
from the University of Houston - Victoria in English and Communications. She has also
completed additional graduate hours through the University of Houston - Victoria’s
Creative Writing M.F.A. program.
Office: Wharton Campus, Peace Building, 102-B
Phone: 979-532-6433
Email: sakrya@wcjc.edu
Catherine Shoppa is a driven educator with a passion for empowering students to achieve their college dreams through the power of language. She graduated from Texas State University in 2009 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English. Building upon this, Catherine earned her Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2012, equipping her with the skills to guide students on their academic journeys. Catherine returned to the University of Houston-Victoria for a second Masters in Creative Writing through their M.F.A. program in 2020.
Office: Wharton Campus, Peace Building 102-B
Phone: 979-532-6598
Email: shoppac@wcjc.edu
Jessi Snider has a B.S. and an M.A. from the University of Houston system and a doctorate
from Texas A&M University. She has taught at both the high school and college levels.
Jessi's academic interests include Victorian literature, postmodern literature, and
literary theory.
Office: Sugar Land Campus, Brazos Hall 245
Phone: 281-239-1588
Email: Sniderj@wcjc.edu
Lauren Sullivan joined WCJC in the fall of 2023 adn teaches English 1301 and NCBI 0300. She received her degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and Northern Arizona University. Her writing is published in Rockvale Review, Barely South Review, The southern Poetry Anthology, Dark Matter Magazine, and many more.
Office: Sugar Land Campus, Brazos Hall 231
Phone: 281-243-8534
Email: sullivanl@wcjc.edu
Jeff Tix spent more than two decades in systems consulting before turning to his true
interest in teaching. Even in private industry, he taught classes whenever possible.
His B.A. is in Business Analysis, and he has an M.B.A. in Finance, as well as an M.A.
in English with a minor in History. He is a serious music collector and a serious
cook.
Office: Richmond Campus, 240-F
Phone: 281-239-1512
Email: TixJ@wcjc.edu
Matthew Tougas (he, him, his) earned his Master’s from the University of New Mexico
and his Bachelor’s from the University of Kansas, both of which he studied English
- Rhetoric, and Writing. His areas of expertise are in composition, rhetoric, and
community literacies. Prior to arriving at WCJC, Matthew taught at Southeastern Louisiana
University and Louisiana State University.
Office: Richmond Campus, 225-F
Phone: 979-532-6598
Email: TougasM@wcjc.edu
Nicole Byrd received her B.A. in Communications and Business Management from Houston Baptist University (2003) and her M.Ed. in School Counseling from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She has previously taught English Language Arts and AVID in the K-12 setting and now works as a school counselor.
Email: byrdn@wcjc.edu
Lakita Costner is a Doctor of Creativity and Innovation in Education and Business. She has over 17 years of experience working in the Education and Creative Industries. She has worked with WCJC as an adjunct since 2017, teaching Humanities.
Email: costnerl@wcjc.edu
Cindy Diener has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas A&M University (Dec.
1990) and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in English and Psychology from the
University of Houston - Victoria (August 1996). Her years of teaching experience span
the junior high, high school, and college levels. Her previous college teaching experience
includes 10 years for Victoria College and six years part-time for WCJC before being
hired full-time by WCJC in 2011. Cindy’s academic interests include technology, feminist
literature, and British literature. Her personal and academic motto is “Anything is
possible.” She approaches each day as though this is the rule and not the exception.
Email: dienerc@wcjc.edu
Rebecca "Becky" Geary is a retired teacher with 30 years of experience. She has a Master's degree in Reading and Language Arts and is a Certified Reading Specialist.
Email: GearyR@wcjc.edu
Lee Glaesemann holds a Master of Arts in English with concentrations in composition theory and American literature, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on collaborative learning and English as a second language pedagogy. His extensive teaching experience in higher education includes courses in English composition, research and writing, and American, British, and world literature. Passionate about fostering academic growth, Lee has dedicated his career to enhancing students' understanding and appreciation of literature as well as writing to promote critical thinking. His expertise in both composition theory and pedagogy equips him with a unique perspective on effective teaching strategies.
Email: glaesemann@wcjc.edu
Adriana Free has been teaching online English courses for over a decade and truly love what she does. Being a military wife, she completed the majority of her own post-secondary education online, which influenced her active presence in her courses. She began her academic journey at a technical college similar to WCJC and went on to earn a master's in literature and a bachelor's in English from Mercy College.
Email: freea@wcjc.edu
Jimidene Murphey has 25 years of experience in the classroom. She earned her B.B.A. and M.B.A. in marketing and management from Tarleton State University and completed her M.A. in composition/rhetoric and technical writing at Texas Tech University. Ms. Murphey has taught at South Plains College, Clarendon College, Victoria College, University of Houston, and WCJC. Additionally, she has prepared over 32 ancillaries for English and business textbooks and was part of a grant to bring online student services to rural colleges. Courses currently taught: Humanities 1301.
Email: murpheyj@wcjc.edu
Angelina Nachimuthu has a doctorate from the University of Hyderabad, India. She was also a Fulbright Visiting Researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been teaching composition and technical and business writing courses since 2017. Angelina's academic interests also include British Literature and Indian Writing in English. She is a technical communication professional and has decades of experience working for the software industry. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading fiction, gardening, and movies.
Email: nachimuthua@wcjc.edu
Anna Patrick received her B.A. in Corporate Communications and Spanish and her M.A. in Spanish Linguistics and Latin American Literature from the University of Houston. Part of her graduate studies was completed at Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. She has taught Spanish language classes at Lone Star College-North Harris and Wharton County Junior College. Courses Currently Taught: SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311, and SPAN 2312.
Email: patricka@wcjc.edu
Hamilton was raised in Egypt, Texas. After completing high school, he decided to become a teacher. Mr. Speaker taught English in the public school system for 30 years and retired from Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.
Email: speakerh@wcjc.edu
Klaudie Stone graduated with a Master of Arts in English from Sam Houston State University and has served as an instuctor in Composition I and II, American Literature I, and American Literature II courses. As a dual enrollment instructor partnered with Bay City ISD, Ms. Stone's belief is that any student, regardless of background or circumstances, is capable of reaching post-secondary success for the goals they strive for.
Email: stonek@wcjc.edu
Lacy Woods graduated from the University of Houston-Victoria with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Education with a concentration in English. As a devoted educator, shge has passionately championed the belief that every student deserves to be given a chance, regardless of their past, to push them to see their greatness within themselves. As a former WCJC student, she is proud to be able to be a part of the institution that gave her the start to lifelong learning.
Email: woodsl@wcjc.edu
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Archived Administrative Master Syllabi
