By Lola Marks
Professor Tracy Wood, PhD, one of the University’s English professors, shares her story from how she first started teaching to how she arrived at CIS University. Through the interview, she shares her journey and all of the lessons she learned along the way, as well as her inspirations, philosophies, and goals.
How long have you been at CIS? What have you taught and what duties do you have?
I started at CIS in January of 2024. I began teaching Critical Reading & Writing I, and since then I have taught Introduction to Composition, Critical Reading & Writing II, and the class Present, Pitch, Persuade. I was also made head of the English department in the fall of 2024, so that dramatically increased my responsibilities. I now run the Writing Lab, manage the Language Exchange Program, and oversee the entrance exam for all new students.
What was your path to get here after college? What college did you go to and what did you study?
I graduated from UC San Diego in 1996 with a degree in American Literature and then decided to teach English abroad in South Korea and in Japan. I then went back to do my master’s in English at UC Riverside, where I was recruited to go back to serve as the academic coordinator of GNUCR International Education Center in Seoul, a joint project between UCR and the local government. After two years, I decided to return to UCR to complete my PhD in English, but while I was writing my dissertation, I was asked to go back to GNUCR to serve as the academic director. This was an immense honor, and I enjoyed the job very much. However, my fiance could not find work, so after two years, I decided to leave my job and follow him to Madrid.
Who do you feel is your biggest supporter or inspiration with your career path?
My high school English teacher was my biggest supporter. She was an amazing woman who dedicated hours of her time to help her students. For example, the day we all took the SAT, she arrived early at the testing center dressed as a cheerleader, complete with pom-poms, and cheered outside the building. She was over 50 years old at the time, so this was quite something!
Did you always know you wanted to take this path?
I always wanted to be a teacher. I taught my younger sister anything and everything growing up, and in college I also minored in the Teacher Education Program, which meant that I was in the classroom a lot, usually a primary school classroom. I loved being around kids and watching them grow.
How would you describe your teaching style or philosophy?
I believe everyone has something to teach, and everyone has something to learn. But no matter what you are learning, it must be learned in stages. This means breaking down what is to be learned in manageable pieces.
What do you hope students take away from your classes?
I hope they learn to think for themselves and learn to trust themselves as scholars. If they leave my class being curious about something, then I know I have done my job.
What are your professional goals for the next few years?
I am hoping to keep my job. With the rise of AI, those of us who teach writing fear for our livelihoods. We fear being made irrelevant in this new society, which is quite scary, not only because we will lose our jobs but also because students will stop learning how to write and think.
How do you balance your work, research, and personal life?
I am an incredible planner. I am good at organizing the hours of my day and take advantage of every free minute I have. I know what I want to accomplish, and I do it.
What’s the most rewarding part of working at CIS University?
I really enjoy my colleagues. Not every workplace has friendly people. In fact, some can be quite hostile. So, I really appreciate the friendly, helpful nature of my coworkers.