Faculty
Cindy Murrell
College Associate Professor
Email:
cmurrell@nmsu.edu
Office Address:
New Mexico State University
Department of English
P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3E
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone:
575-646-3935
Fax:
(575) 646-7725
Biographical Statement
I have taught at NMSU since earning my MA in English Literature here in 1988. I am a local, having graduated from Las Cruces High School where my youngest daughter now attends school.
Teaching Statement
I see my role as facilitating student learning through structured class discussion and group work. In 2005, I began implementing Team-Based Learning in my ENGL 203G classes. I lecture very little, and expect students to be prepared for and involved in class. The workload in my classes is fair but steady.
In all my classes, I emphasize building critical thinking and writing skills, as I believe those skills give us power to improve our lives and our world. In literature classes, I am the most excited and moved when students find ways of interpreting and connecting with the texts I had not thought of before.
Courses Commonly Taught
- ENGL 394G: Southwestern Literature
- ENGL 363: Literature for Children and Young Adults
- ENGL 311G: Advanced Composition
- ENGL 211G: Writing for the Humanities and Social Sciences
- ENGL 203G: Business and Professional Communication
- ENGL 115G: Perspectives on Literature
Departmental Projects
Puerto del Sol
For eight years, I have served as an Associate Essay Editor for the English Department literary journal, Puerto del Sol.
Creative Interests/Public Service
I have served on the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library board since November 2003.
Since 1998, I have acted in over a dozen local theater productions with the Dona Ana Lyric Opera, Las Cruces Community Theatre, No Strings Theatre Company, and Lo-Fi Productions. I also sing at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in the Chancel Choir and Concert Ensemble.
Publications
“Negotiating the Long Haul: A Review of Thoughts from a Queen-Sized Bed by Mimi Schwartz.” Puerto del Sol Spring 2003. 326-335.
“Living in Two Worlds.” New Moon Network September/October 1995. 4.