Attending ETAMU became a positive turning point for my academic and personal goals.
Profile for
Apryl Lewis, Ph.D.
English Instructor
- Alum
Apryl Lewis (she/her/hers) is a doctoral candidate in English at Texas Tech University in the areas of African American literature, trauma studies, and cultural studies. She has a publication forthcoming in Women, Gender, and Families of Color, a publication in Sport in American History, and a co-authored publication in Spark: A 4C4Equality Journal. Apryl completed her B.A. in English at Texas Tech and her M.A. in English at East Texas A&M University.
A Conversation with Dr. Apryl Lewis
Tell us about your career.
I am a full-time English Instructor at Fresno City College in Fresno, CA. I teach first-year writing courses and African American literature. Along with my role as an English Instructor, I engage in various service roles on campus. I am also a writer. After the publication of my book manuscript, Black Feminism and Traumatic Legacies in Contemporary African American Literature, I found myself returning to my roots as a creative writer.
What do you like most about your career?
I can, and am frequently encouraged, to use my voice to further social changes on campus and in the community. There are so many ways to get involved and I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with faculty, staff, and administrators!
Tell us about an influential professor or person on campus during your time at ETSU/East Texas A&M
I applied to ETAMU for the M.A. degree in English during a time in my life where I felt aimless. Despite my doubts about being a successful graduate student, the Literature & Languages department took a chance on me. Attending ETAMU became a positive turning point for my academic and personal goals. Dr. Kathryn Jacob's creative writing workshop was an influential course for me as a student. Through her guidance, I became more confident in my abilities as a creative writer, which translated to publications. Additionally, Dr. Jacobs saw potential in me as an educator, even when I faced adversity as a first-year instructor. Thanks to Dr. Jacobs and the mentorship I received from my classmates, Terry Nugent and Wesley English, for molding me into the scholar and educator I am today.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was Outlawed by Anna North. This is a feminist western and dystopian novel, which is outside of my usual genre of reading. This book tackles what happens when women are unable to bear children: being hanged as witches. The main character, after a year married and no pregnancy, is forced to leave her life behind for the sake of her own survival and joins a band of outlaw women.
Educational Background
- Ph.D., English, Texas Tech University, in progress
- MA, English, Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M University), 2015
- BA, English, Texas Tech University, 2013
Honors and Awards
- Bruce Family Memorial Scholarship, Texas Tech University, 2020.
- William Bryan Gates Graduate Award in English, Texas Tech University, 2019-2020
- Bruce Family Memorial Scholarship, Texas Tech University, 2016
- Helen DeVitt Jones Graduate Fellowship, Texas Tech University, Fall 2016.
Research Interests
- African American Literature,
- Trauma Studies
- Cultural Studies