Amy Lannin Named Director of MU’s Campus Writing Program

Assistant teaching professor of English education will lead nationally-recognized program.

May 31, 2011

Story Contact(s):
, munewsbureau@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Amy Lannin, an assistant teaching professor in English education at the University of Missouri, has been appointed to serve a two-year term as director of MU’s Campus Writing Program and has accepted a tenure track position as an assistant professor in the College of Education. Lannin has been associated with Mizzou in a variety of capacities since 2001.

Lannin has served as the associate director of the Missouri Writing Project (MWP) since 2003. The MWP is part of the National Writing Project, which is a network of more than 200 sites throughout the country which dedicate themselves to improving the teaching and learning of writing.

“It is exciting to be part of such a successful program,” Lannin said. “I am committed to building on the current strengths of the Campus Writing Program and increasing its presence on campus as we find new directions and areas to take this program.”

In 2001, Lannin came to Mizzou, serving as a graduate research assistant and graduate teaching assistant before becoming an assistant teaching professor in 2008. She joined the Missouri Writing Project in 2003 and has served as the director of the Missouri Writing Projects State Network since 2007.

Lannin has taught undergraduate and graduate level classes at Mizzou and has been an advisor for online and on-campus master’s students, as well as undergraduate students. She has served on several doctoral committees, including acting as the committee chair twice and co-chair four times.

She has written for numerous publications and has been invited to do several presentations and consulting opportunities. Lannin has also collaborated with the Missouri Department of Education on various projects and initiatives.

Lannin was an adjunct professor at Peru State College in Nebraska from 1996-98 and served a co-facilitator of the Nebraska Writing Project at the University of Nebraska in 1992.

Prior to that, Lannin spent time as a high school and middle school teacher.

Of the many awards and fellowships she has earned, Lannin received the University of Missouri’s Excellence in Advising Award in 2010. She was also honored as the 2010 MU College of Education Graduate Instructor of the Year.

“I’ve known about the Campus Writing Program for a number of years and have taught Writing Intensive classes and attended the workshops,” Lannin said. “The faculty have made writing a critical part of teaching at MU and I look forward to supporting the faculty as they continue their successful work of educating our students.”

Lannin graduated with a degree in secondary language arts education from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1986 and received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska in 1996. She earned her Ph.D. in English education from the University of Missouri in 2007.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Lannin accept the invitation to serve as the director of the Campus Writing Program,” Jim Spain, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, said. “Her scholarly expertise and professional involvement in writing across the curriculum make her an exceptionally good fit. Dr. Lannin has also taught WI courses at Mizzou, so she brings a faculty perspective. This is especially important given the faculty involvement in the Campus Writing Program.”

Mizzou’s Campus Writing Program (CWP) is a nationally-recognized program which provides support for Writing Intensive courses at MU. The Campus Writing Board approves Writing Intensive (WI) courses and offers faculty development opportunities in order to enhance student learning.

Over 300 WI courses are approved each year. The CWP is accountable for how WI is being taught across the curriculum and across diverse courses.

“Not only does Amy Lannin bring both a breadth and depth of experience in helping teachers at all levels implement writing across the curriculum, she also has taught Writing Intensive courses at MU for which she has received glowing student evaluations,” Wendy Sims, professor of music education, said. Sims chaired the search committee for filing the CWP director position.

“I want to thank Dr. Wendy Sims and the search committee she chaired for helping us identify such a great person to serve in this important leadership role,” Spain said.

Lannin replaces Jeff Rice, who accepted an endowed chair at the University of Kentucky.