Bio
Dr. Christopher Gras is an Assistant Professor of Reading & Professional Communication in the Academic Success Center. He earned his Ph.D. in Foreign Language & ESL Education from the University of Iowa in 2021. Dr. Gras’ research focuses on language skills, policy, and identity. Prior to teaching at USAFA, he worked with ROTC cadets & midshipmen as the Project Global Officer Manager at the University of Kansas. Dr. Gras has more than a decade of experience teaching coursework in reading, writing, public speaking, and teacher education.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Foreign Language & ESL Education, University of Iowa (2021)
Master of Art, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of Southern California (2014)
Master of Science, Adolescence Education, SUNY Plattsburgh (2010)
Bachelor of Art, History, University at Albany (2009)
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor, Reading & Professional Communication, Academic Success Center, U.S. Air Force Academy
Manager, Project Global Officer, Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center, University of Kansas
Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant, Teaching & Learning, University of Iowa
Department of State Fulbright Fellow, Kahramanmaraş Sütçüimam University, Turkey
ESL Instructor, ESL Bridge Program, SUNY Plattsburgh
English/ESL Instructor, English Department, Clinton Community College
Honors & Awards
Dean’s Fellow, College of Education, University of Iowa (2016-21)
Graduate College Summer Fellowship, University of Iowa (2020)
Office of the Dean Graduate Student Travel Award, University of Iowa (2020)
Audrey Qualls Award, University of Iowa (2020)
Teaching & Learning Tuition Supplement Award, University of Iowa (2018)
Publications
Gras, C. K. (2022). Narratives of race and identity in English language teaching. The Language Learning Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2022.2107693
Gras, C. K., & Kitson, C. (2021). ESL teacher certification policy: current trends & best practices. Frontiers in Education, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.591993
Gras, C. K., & Leonard, C. (2022). A synthesized approach to improving writing feedback for ELLs. Presented at the 2022 Colorado TESOL Conference, Denver, CO. (October, 2022).
Gras, C. K., Taking writing from macro to micro. Presented at the 2022 Intermountain TESOL Conference, Cedar City, UT. (September, 2022).
Gras, C. K., Examining issues of race and diversity in English language education. Presented at the TESOL 2022 International Convention & English Language Expo, Pittsburgh, PA. (March, 2022).
Gras, C. K., English language teachers of color: issues of race & social identity. Presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) 2021 Virtual Conference. (March, 2021).
Gras, C. K., & Kitson, C., ESL teacher certification policy: the good, bad, & ugly. Presented at the TESOL 2021 International Convention & English Language Expo, Houston, TX. (March, 2021).
Gras, C. K., Race & identity in English language teachers. Presented at the MIDTESOL 2020 Conference, Des Moines, IA. (October, 2020).
Gras, C. K., A critical look at ESL teacher certification policy. Presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) 2020 Conference, Denver, CO. (March, 2020).
Gras, C. K., ESL teacher certification policy: comparing Iowa to the nation. Presented at the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC), Coralville, IA. (November, 2019).