H. Lisa Gardner Flores

H. Lisa Gardner Flores is the Director of the International Language Institute and Assistant Professor in the Department of Language and Literature at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).   In this capacity, Dr. Gardner Flores directs the intensive English as a Second Language program, develops curricula for Spanish as a Heritage Language, and manages the world language credit-bearing program. As assistant professor, she teaches numerous courses in Sociolinguistics, Spanish, and language teaching methodology.

Dr. Gardner Flores’ 25-year career has been dedicated to bridging sociolinguistic understanding across diverse populations.  She has established collaborative language programs across universities, delivered language and cultural awareness courses for faculty, and developed curricula in Spanish and ESL.   Dr. Flores has also designed and delivered innovative curricular solutions for transitioning students, including bilingual/bicultural language support programs and integrative teaching approaches. Her work has included the development of placement tests for both Spanish heritage language learners and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. 

Dr. Gardner Flores received her doctoral degree in August 2011 in Hispanic Studies with a concentration in bilingualism/biculturalism from Texas A&M University.  During her doctoral studies, she received a fellowship from the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL), where she conducted research on ESL student transitions.  Prior to completing her terminal degree, she directed the International Language Institute at TAMIU for over six years and the Transitional Studies program at Walla Walla Community College in Washington State for two years.

Dr. Flores holds an active research agenda in the areas of U.S. Border Spanish, Spanish Heritage Language Learning, and academic transitions for adult learner populations. She has presented numerous papers at national and regional conferences on ethnolinguistic identity, heritage language learning, adult ESL student transitions, and culturally relevant instructional practices.

Education

Texas A&M University           Ph.D.      2011      Hispanic Studies

                                                                         Bilingualism/Biculturalism

Regis University                      -----        1993      coursework in Communication and Language

Texas A&M International         M.A.      1998      Sociology

Evergreen State College           B.A.        1975     General Humanities

Current Position:  Director, International Language Institute; Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Literature, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas.

Administrative Positions:

• 2009                  Interim Director of the Professional Resources Opportunities for Faculty (PROF), Texas A&M International University, 2009.  Founded  the PROF Center. Created procedures and organizational structures to sustain forthcoming programs, projects, and services. Offered professional development opportunities to faculty.

• 2001-2003         Director, Department of Transitional Studies at Walla Walla Community College. Leadership, management, and administration of Developmental Education including Adult Basic Skills, College Preparatory Courses, English as a Second Language (ESL), related instruction for vocational-technical students, Hispanic initiatives  bilingual/bicultural transition program.

• 1994-2001         Associate Director, International Language Institute, Texas A&M International University (Laredo, Texas). Administrative, programmatic, and curriculum development responsibilities for academic English as a Second Language (ESL) program, ESL Life Skills program, semi-intensive Spanish courses, and summer programs.

Teaching Positions:

• 2007-2009         Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Literature, Texas A&M International University
• 2006-2007         Visiting Instructor, Communication, Texas A&M International University
• 2006-2007         Adjunct, Spanish instructor, Texas A&M International University
• 2004-2005         Instructor, Spanish and English as a Second Language, International Language Institute, Texas A&M International University

New Course Development:  Sociolinguistics: Codeswitching; Bilingual Speech Communication (English/Spanish), Intercultural Communication, Spanish for Special Purposes.

Courses taught:  General Linguistics, Spanish for Special Purposes, Spanish (beginning, intermediate, advanced), Advanced English Grammar, Communication and Meaning, Intercultural Communication, Speech, Global Cultures, Sociology, English as a Second Language (six intensive levels).

Publications:

Gardner Flores, L. (2011).  Dissertation: Promoting Positive Ethnolinguistic Identity in the

               Heritage Language Classroom through Dialect Awareness.

Gardner Flores, L. (2005). The transition from adult literacy ESL programs to academic reading

and writing: Next steps for English language learners. Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL).

Chlup, D., Gardner Flores, L. & Coryell, J. (2006). Working for it: The Other Work in Graduate      

              School, Procuring Fellowship funding & Designing the Research to Accompany the

               Funds.  University of Minnesota: 47^th Adult Education Research Conference Annual. 

Selected Conference Papers:

Gardner Flores, L. (2010). Tying culture to writing: A validation of ethnolinguistic identity.  Two-

year College English Association, Laredo Community College.

Gardner Flores, L. & Coryell, J., Chlup, D.(2009). Transitioning adult ESL students: Programmatic

pathways that lead to success. TESOL National Convention, Denver, Colorado.

Coryell, J., Gardner Flores, L., & Clark, C. (2008).  Cultural fantasy narratives and heritage

language learning: A case study of adult, Tejana Spanish learners. American

for Applied Linguistics, National Conference, Washington D.C..        

Gardner Flores, L. (2006). Dos caras del mismo cuento: La creación de la narrativa oral por

estudiantes bilingües.  Linguistic Association of the Southwest, Denver, CO,

Gardner Flores, L. (2006). Lexical adaptations in a Southwest dialect: Creating meaning within a

bicultural context. Linguistic Association of the Southwest, Laredo, TX.

Gardner Flores, L. (2006). Creating connections: Developing language skills through community

involvement. Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE), Houston, TX.

Gardner Flores, L. (2006). Viewing transitions through a multicultural window. Fall Literacy Institute for Adult Education Administrators and Instructors. Atlanta, GA:

Gardner Flores, L. (2005). The transition from ESL to academic reading and writing: Next steps

for English language learners. Adult Language & Literacy Conference, El Paso, TX.

Selected Presentations, Panels, and Workshops:

Gardner Flores, L. (2011). Cultural Perspectives Influencing Student Outcomes. New Faculty

 Orientation. Texas A&M International University. Laredo, TX.

Gardner Flores, L. (2010). Culturally Relevant Instructional Practices. University of Texas, San

Marcos, TX.

Gardner Flores, L. (2010). Integrating Cultural Content into Math Instruction.  Title V-EEP

Mathematics Academy.

Gardner Flores, L. (2006). Viewing transitions through a multicultural window. Fall Literacy

 Institute for Adult Education Administrators and Instructors, Atlanta, GA.

Gardner Flores, L. (2005). The Transition from ESL to Academic Reading and Writing: Next Steps for English Language Learners. Walla Walla Community College, WA.

Gardner Flores, L. (2003). Life in Two Worlds.  Young Women’s; college Association, Walla Walla, WA.

Pletsch de García, K., Hickey, C., González, P & Gardner Flores, L. (2006). On the border:  

        Spanish heritage language issues. Border Literacy Conference, Laredo, TX.

Gardner Flores, L. (2000). Diversity in the Workplace. Laredo Association of Human Resource Managers, Laredo, TX.

Consulting/Training:

Gardner Flores, L. (1998-2000; 2005-2006).   Socio-cultural perspectives on the U.S.-Mexico Border. A monthly workshop presented to medical professionals and students for the South Texas Environmental and Research Project, University of Texas, San Antonio Health Science Center, Laredo, TX.

Chacón, V. & Gardner Flores, L. (2003). Cross-Cultural Dialogues. Walla Walla School District.

Chacón, V. & Gardner Flores, L. (2002). Culture Conversations.  Walla Walla School District.

Gardner Flores, L. (2001). Intercultural Communication Workshops. Walla Walla Community College.

Selected University Service:

• 2010                    PROF Center Advisory Committee
                   Service Learning Committee
• 2010                    First Year Success Committee
• 2008-09              PI for Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Grant, U.S. Department of Education Title VI
• 2007-08              Bilingual Education K—16 committee member
• 2006                    Title VI Grant, program assistant
                    Linguistic Association of the Southwest Regional Conference, assisted with coordination of conference 

Selected Professional Affiliations:

American Association of Applied Linguistics, 2005-present

The Linguistic Association of the Southwest (LASSO), 2006-present

International Communication Association, 2006-present

Teachers of English as a Second Language, 1993-2000, 2003-present

Fellowships and Awards:

2006                    Chancellor’s List

2005-2006         Fellow, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning.

2004-2008         Lamar Bruni Vergara Scholarship, Laredo, TX.

2001-2002         Walla Walla Leadership, Walla Walla, WA.

Research Interests: U.S. Border Spanish, Cross-linguistic Pragmatic Transfer, Ethnolinguistic Identity, Spanish Heritage Language Learning, Adult ESL Educational Transitions.