Elena
Lawrick
Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Leadership
Associate Professor
- John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne #136
- 610.796.8268
Biography
Learn more about Dr. Elena Lawrick in these profiles:
Joining Knowledge, Love and ESL: Through a partnership with Reading School District, Dr. Lawrick works to certify educators to teach English as a second language (ESL).
Advancing opportunities: Then director of Alvernia’s Office for Multilingual Student Success, Dr. Lawrick mentored Sister Digna Chuwa, M.Ed. '03 and Ph.D. '22, whom she called an "ethical leader with moral courage." Their collaboration resulted in a research study that provided invaluable insight into understanding the persistence of gender inequality in higher education institutions. Conducted at the University of Dar es Salaam, the best-ranked university in Tanzania, Dr. Chuwa's dissertation research brought to light the female faculty leaders' perspective on this social issue.
- Ph.D. in Teaching English as a Second language, Purdue University
- M.A. in English Philology, Translation Studies, & Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Far Eastern National University
Extensive experience in teaching in-person, hybrid, and online course design and instruction.
Doctoral level
PHD 709, Organizational Analysis: Culture, Theory, and Change Strategies
PHD 807, Curriculum, Culture, and Instructional Leadership
PHD 830, Current Issues in Education
PHD 860, Dissertation Proposal Seminar
ENGL 621, Written Communication for International Graduate Students
Master level
LDR 550, Introduction to Research
MED 516, Differentiated Instruction for English Learners
MED 518, Quantitative Research Methods
MED 518, Research Instruments
MED 520, Educators as Researchers
MED 680, Educational Research
MED 574, Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language
MED 576, Structure of American English for Teachers of English Language Learners
MED 578, Cultural Aspects of Teaching English as a Second Language
MED 590, Digital Education Tools for Teachers
MED 682, Second Language Acquisition
MED 684, Instruction & Assessment for English Language Learners
Intensive English course for Medical Tourism Program
Undergraduate level
ESL 020, Reading I
ESL 030, Foundations of College Writing
ESL 035, Listening & Speaking II
ESL 040, Writing I
ESL 050, Writing II
ESL 060, Reading II
Accelerated ESL writing: ESL 051 paired with COM 121
COM 121, English Composition I
COM 221, English Composition II
ENGL 111, English Composition
ENGL 112, Exposition and Persuasion
ED 270/370, Teaching English Language Learners
ED 445, Universal Design for Learning
Professional development for PK-12 teachers
PD Course 100, English Learners (Muhlenberg School District)
PD Course 200, Differentiation for English Learners (Muhlenberg School District)
PD Course 300, Promoting English Language Development (Muhlenberg School District)
- Leadership studies
- Teacher education
- Research design
- Academic writing
- TESOL training for PK-12 educators and volunteer ESL teachers
Awards
Ruth Crymes TESOL Academy Fellowship (2012)
The Albert H. Marckwardt Travel Grant, TESOL International (2010)
Quintilian Award for Teaching Excellence, Purdue University (2009)
Walter J. Johnson Award in Expository and Critical Writing in ESL Studies, Purdue University Literary Award Contest (2008)
Grants
Wyomissing Foundation Grant (co-authored), a two-year funding for the Learning Center of Multilingual Students at Reading Area Community College (2015)
Purdue University Research Foundation Grant, a one-year funding for a dissertation research project (2010)
Purdue University Research Foundation Grant, a three-month fundung for a research project (2009)
Purdue University Department of English Travel Grant (2009, 2010)
U.S. Department of State International Research & Exchanges Board Grant,a six-month funding for a research project (2003)
Book chapters
Lawrick, E. (2016). Part II. Domains of English use in Russia: Scholarship. In Z. G. Proshina & A. Eddy (Eds.) Russian English: History, functions, and features (pp.149-160). Cambridge University Press.
Eddy, A., Ivankova, T. & Lawrick, E. (2016). Part II. Domains of English use in Russia: Scholarship. Mass Media. In Z. G. Proshina & A. Eddy (Eds.) Russian English: History, functions, and features (pp.172-180). Cambridge University Press.
Lawrick, E. , & Eseilli, F. (2015). Familiar strangers: International students in U.S. universities. In N. Evans & N. Anderson (Eds.) ESL Readers and writers in U.S. higher education: Understanding challenges, providing support (pp.80-94). Routledge.
Journal articles
Lawrick, E. (2016, Fall). Supporting multilingual students in college. College ESL Quarterly. http://www.languageartspress.com
Lawrick, E. (2013). Students in the First Year ESL Writing Program: Revisiting the notion of “Traditional” ESL. Writing Program Administration: Journal of the Council of Writing Program Administrators, 36(2), 27-58.
Esseili, F., McIntosh, K., Torres, C., Lawrick, E., McMartin-Miller & Chang (2009).World Englishes: Practical implications for teaching and research. INTESOL Journal, 6(1), 7-22.
Book review
Lawrick, E. (2011). Review of English around the World [Review of the book English around the world by E. W. Schneider]. THE LINGUST LIST.
Digital content
Purdue OWL (co-authored). APA Style, Writing Process, & Invention.
Website for second language studies scholars incl. English in Russia Project, bibliography for ESL teachers, & bibliographies for second language writing and world Englishes scholars (archived).
Linguistically Diverse Students: Collection of resources for faculty and staff on Alvernia University Learning Management System (LMS).
Small Shifts, Big Gains: Leveraging Input and Interaction to Accelerate English Learning. (February, 2026). Webinar. PennTESOLEast Saturday Seminars Series.
Ethics, Well-being, & the Evolving Role of DEI. (June, 2025), Panel discussion at the 2025 Leadership and the Good Life Conference, West Chester University.
Case Study, Reimagined: Bringing SLA Research into the Classrooms. (November, 2023). Paper presented at the Fall 2023 PennTESOL East Conference Building Bridges & Scaffolding Success.
Female Leadership in Tanzanian Higher Education. (October, 2023). With Chuwa,D.. Paper presented at the Faculty Excellence Scholarship Symposium, Alvernia University.
Dialogical Cohort Study Model for Learning Cogency among Doctoral Leadership Students. (April, 2019). Panel presented at The Annual Pennsylvania Leadership Studies Conference.
Familiar Strangers: International Students in the U.S. Writing Courses. (April, 2019). Paper presented at Alvernia University Scholarship Symposium.
Online Collaboration Applications for ESL Students in Community-based Programs. (May 2017). Paper presented at the 29th Annual Technology and Adult Education Conference, co-authored with S. Abdul-Aziz, Alvernia University.
Not Your Ordinary ESL Lab. Paper presented at Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Convention, Baltimore, MD, April 2016.
ESL Readers and Writers in U.S. Higher Education: Understanding Challenges, Providing Support. Panel presented at Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Convention, Baltimore, MD, April 2016.
Creating a Comprehensive Support System for Multilingual Students. Keynote talk presented at ESL Best Practices Summit of PA community colleges, Reading, PA, June 2016.
Blended Approach to Teaching ESL Developmental Writing (October 2014). Paper presented in the strand Dynamic Academic Support and Success Strategies for ESL Students in Adult Education at Community College Partner Conference VI, Albright College, co-authored with M. Wolbers, Albright College.
Bridging the Disciplinary Divide in Teaching Composition to Multilingual Students. (March 2013). Paper presented at TESOL Convention, Dallas, TX, co-authored with L. Henriksen, Kansas State University.
From a Language of the Elite to a Language of the People. Public lecture given at the University of Kentucky’s Cultural Initiative Reimagining Russia’s Realms, Lexington, KY, Feb. 2013.
English in Russian Academia: Joining the Global Community, Finding a Global Voice. Paper presented at the Linguistic Seminar Series, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, Feb. 2013.
English in the Russian Academic Community: A study of 22 research universities. Paper presented at the ESL Speaker Series, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN, Sep. 2010.
Familiar Strangers: International Students in U.S. Composition Courses. Paper presented at TESOL Convention, Philadelphia, PA, March 2012.
Scholarship in English in Russian Academic Discourse. Paper presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Chicago, IL, March 2011.
English as a Working Language of Russian Scholarly Discourse. Paper presented at the International Association for World Englishes (IAWE) Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada, July 2010.
In Response to Globalization: ELT in China, Russia, and Lebanon. Paper presented at TESOL Convention, Boston, MA, co-authored with F. Esseili & C. Torres, Purdue University, March 2010.
Students’ Perception of an Efficient ESL Composition Course. Paper presented at TESOL Convention, Boston, co-authored with F. Esseili, Purdue University, March 2010.
Nurturing Independent Writers in an Introductory Composition Course for International Students: a Case Study of Multimodal Environments, Course Outcomes, and Student Self-Assessment. Paper presented at the Symposium on Second Language Writing, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, co-authored with F. Esseili, Nov. 2009.
English Curriculum Reform as a Result of Russia’s Participation in the Creation of the European Higher Education Area. Paper presented at the Annual Purdue University Graduate Symposium on ESL Research, Purdue University, Apr. 2009.
World Englishes’ Perspective on Teaching Academic Writing to International Undergraduate Students Colloquium. Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (INTESOL) Convention, Caramel, IN, co-authored with F. Esseili, K. McIntosh, C. Torres, C., McMartin-Miller, C. Shih-Yu, Nov. 2008.
Chair & member, Ph.D. & Ed.D. dissertation committees (Alvernia Uni & Immaculata Uni)
Research mentor, Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Chaired Ph.D. in Leadership Dissertations
Eschbach, Mary-Elizabeth. (present). School Districts’ Communication Excellence: A content analysis of public school districts’ digital spaces.
Orlando, Mary. (present). Ethical leadership as defined by c-suite executives: An exploratory qualitative study.
Joy, Christine (2025). Passion and principles: The dynamics of job satisfaction among Pennsylvania’s school principals.
Ba Sharahil, Faisal. (2022).The impact of ethical leadership practices on job satisfaction of middle-level managers in the Saudi family business (Publication No.29256301)[Doctoral dissertation, Alvernia University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Ruoss, Christina. (2022).Leadership in secondary educational institutions: A narrative inquiry into veteran teacher perspective of best leadership practices for building-level instructional leaders during the critical situation of the COVID-19 pandemic (Publication No.30000867)[Doctoral dissertation, Alvernia University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Chuwa, Digna. (2022).Gender inequality among faculty in the Tanzanian higher education: A case of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)(Publication No.30000086)[Doctoral dissertation, Alvernia University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
- Pennsylvania Department of Education's accreditation of teacher preparation programs
- State and federal accreditation reporting
- Assessment
- Academic program development and growth
- Curriculum design
- Instructional design with emphasis on online learning
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Teaching English as a second language
- Academic writing
- Research mentoring
- Field supervision for the PA ESL Program Specialist (PK-12) Certification
- Multilingual students in the U.S. higher education
- Sociolinguistics of the global spread of English
- Second language (ESL) writing with emphasis on academic writing
Academic Leadership
Alvernia University
- Chair, Education Department (2020–2023)
- Director, TESOL Programs (2016–2024)
- Director, Educational Leadership Programs (2020–2024)
- Director, Office for Multilingual Student Success (2016-2019)
Reading Area Community College
- Coordinator, Academic ESL Program (2012-2016)
- Founder & Director, Learning Center for Multilingual Students (2012-2016)
Purdue University
- Vice President, ESL Graduate Student Organization (2010-2011)
- Conference Organizer, Graduate Symposium on ESL/SL Studies Research (2009)
Academic Positions
- Associate professor, Alvernia University (2016-present)
- Associate professor, Reading Area Community College (2015-2016)
- Assistant professor, Reading Area Community College (2012-2015)
- Lecturer, Purdue University (2011-2012)
- Graduate teaching assistant, Purdue University (2006-2011)
- Adjunct faculty, Ivy Tech Community College (2007-2012)
- Visiting scholar, Purdue University (2003)
- Senior lecturer, Far Eastern National University (2001-2003)
- Lecturer, Far Eastern National University (1999-2001)
- Instructor, Far Eastern National University (1997-1999)
- TESOL International Association
- Penn-TESOL East
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
- Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (PAC-TE)
- Chair, Graduate Academic Council (2022-2024)
- Co-Chair & Chair, Academic Assessment Committee (2021-2023)
- Chair & member, Tenure-track Faculty Review Committees (2021-present)
- Member, Honors & Awards Committee (2022-2023)
- Member, ad hoc committees (2016-2019)