Featured Alumni: Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay Brookshier graduated from UW-Manitowoc in 2013 with her Associate’s degree before transferring to UW-Green Bay and graduating in 2015 with her Bachelor’s in English. She completed her Master’s degree at Colorado State University in 2017. She is now an English Instructor at Colorado State University.

What did you major/minor in? I majored in English literature and minored in Women’s Studies for my Bachelor’s degree. I had the opportunity to complete my Women’s Studies certificate at UW-Manitowoc which allowed me to transfer in many of my credits for my minor. I completed my Master of Arts in literature with my thesis project focusing on a feminist analysis of medieval literature and contemporary fantasy fiction.

What do you do now? I am an English instructor at Colorado State University where I primarily teach upper-division composition courses and the occasional British Survey course. I also do administration work for the English department as an Upper-Division Learning Specialist which entails supporting composition faculty and creating course content for the department.

Why did you decide to major in English? I have always loved to read and write so it was natural for me to major in English. But what really drove my interest in teaching was how inspirational I found my professors at UW-Manitowoc and UW-Green Bay. I discovered that I thrived in an educational environment and knew that this would be a career path that I would truly enjoy. As for Women’s Studies, I vividly remember my first course in that minor (Women in Popular Culture) and was instantly engaged with the material, not just as a field of study, but as a path to a more inclusive lifestyle. 

What academic experience or accomplishment are you most proud of?  Being admitted into the Literature program at Colorado State University was a large accomplishment that I was extensively prepared for because of my time in the UW system. I had many amazing opportunities to work on independent research and participate in academic conferences as an undergraduate at UW that I believe set me apart from other candidates in the application process. And of course, I am proud of my role as an English instructor at Colorado State University and thankful for the work I get to do with students. 

What is an important goal or accomplishment you are currently working on? I am currently working on a few different projects within the English department at my university ranging from creating materials in online learning for faculty support to serving on a committee to represent interests of non-tenure track faculty. One of my goals that feels the most important to me in our present moment is the work I’m doing to advocate for the equitable treatment of non-tenure track faculty as universities across the nation brace for the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What do you do for fun? I write and edit articles for a Disney travel website for fun. This side gig allows us to take a lot of trips to Disneyland for “work” and I love it so much. And of course, living in Colorado I spend a lot of time outdoors with our favorite outdoor recreation being kayaking and paddle boarding. 

What else do you want people to know about you? I’m a first-generation college student and was a single mom to a six-month-old infant when I first enrolled at UW-Manitowoc. I had a non-traditional high school experience and never thought I would be capable of pursuing an education. The two-year institutions in Wisconsin are so valuable to connect students with the resources they need to succeed, and I credit a big portion of my success to the amazing community at UW-Manitowoc. When I transferred to UW-Green Bay, that support continued as in my last semester I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and was able to work with my professors to complete my last three courses online. If my professors wouldn’t have gone above and beyond to help me cross that finish line, I would not have been able to accept my admission to the graduate program at Colorado State University and I would not be where I am today. I will always remember the impact my UW professors had on my college experience and how vital it was to help me reach my goals.

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