Curriculum Vitae

Maria J. Cahill, Ph.D.

2014 Watermark Place

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

239-470-7824

mariahelencahill@gmail.com

 

Education:   

Ph.D. English: Composition/Rhetoric and Professional Writing; University of 

Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Dissertation: The Stars Belong to Everyone: The 

Rhetorical Practices of Astronomer and Technical Communicator, Dr. Helen 

Sawyer Hogg, January 23, 2009. 

 

M.A. English: Literature; Georgia Southern University, 1992. 

Thesis:  Voice and Interiority in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. 

 

B.A. English: Creative Writing; University of Washington, 1981.  

Teaching Experience:

Associate Professor of English, Husson University, Bangor, Maine; August 2014-2025.

     Courses Taught:

• CM 100 Speech 

• CM 200 Interpersonal Communication

• CM 221 Professional Communication

• EH 105 First-Year Composition, rhetoric

• EH 123 First-Year Composition, first semester, ethnography

• EH 124 First-Year Composition, second semester, argument

• EH 200 Approaches to Literature

• EH 262 Introduction to Plays

• EH 274 Creative Nonfiction

• EH 275 Creative Writing 

• EH 272 Fantasy 

• EH 305 African American Literature

• EH 312 Film as Literature

• EH 401 (Varied topics, such as Creative Writing (novel, short fiction, poetry) and Greek Literature

• IS 455 (Independent Study, Screenwriting)

• MC 314 Cross-Cultural Communication (for NESCom)

• BA 605 Graduate Course: Business Communication for Managers (Business College)

 

     Online Course Designer:

• Online Course Development: EH 091 (Developmental Lab Master Class)

• Online Course Development: EH 105 (Composition Master Class)

• Online Course Development: EH 123 (Composition Master Class)

• Online Course Development: CM 100 (Speech Master Class)

• Online Course Development: CM 221 (Professional Communication Master Class)

• Online Course Development: BA 605 (Graduate course: Business Communication for Managers)

• Online Course Designer: CM 100 (for the new online program)

 

English Professor, Florida SouthWestern State College (formerly Edison State College), Ft. Myers, Florida; January 2007-August 2014. (Adjunct online from August 2014-2022)

 

    Courses Designed and Taught:

• First-Year Composition, first semester: Expository 

• First-Year Composition, second semester: Literature 

• First-Year Composition, second semester: Technical Communication (Ground and Online)

• American Literature I (Online)

• American Literature II 

• World Literature I

• Contemporary Literature 

• Creative Writing I (Ground and Online) 

• Creative Writing II (Ground and Online)

• Online Course Development:  ENC 1102, Argument (Comp II); AML 2020 (1865-present); (Creative Writing II)

 

English Instructor, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, Georgia; August 2003-June 

2006. 

 

    Courses Designed and Taught: 

• Basic Writing 

• First-Year Composition (first and second semesters)

• Sophomore Literature  

• Regents’ Remediation 

English Instructor, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia; September 1992-June 1994;  1996-1997.

   Courses Designed and Taught: 

• Basic Writing 

• First-Year Composition (first and second semesters 

• Sophomore Literature, 1660-present (Team-Taught) 

 

 Teacher, Fort Pierce High School, Ft. Pierce, Florida; Jan. 1998-June 1999 

   Courses Designed and Taught:

• Sophomore English 

• Freshman-Senior Drama 

 

Academic Administrative Positions:

Communications Coordinator, Husson University, Bangor, ME. Fall 2017-Spring 2022; Spring 2023.

• Maintained contact and conducted workshops for adjuncts.

• Problem-solved for classroom challenges, Canvas, and Connect classroom activities.

• Assisted with student issues.

• Reported to the Department Chair.

• Redesigned CM 100 and CM 221 Online/Ground classes per GEN ED requirements.

• Supervised redesign of CM 200 online/ground classes.

• Crafted assessments (ExamSoft) for CM 100, CM 200, and CM 221.

• Adjunct Coordinator,  Husson University, Bangor, ME.  January 2015-May 2016.

• Reported to and assisted the English Program Coordinator.

• Conducted workshops for adjuncts.

• Problem-solved for classroom challenges, Canvas, and Connect classroom activities.

• Assisted with student issues.

• Conducted yearly evaluations of adjuncts.

 

English Department Program Coordinator, Professional Communications B.S. degree

January 2014-August 2014.

 

• Directed a committee to develop a Professional Communications degree.

• Worked directly with the Provost.

• Designed, distributed, and assessed student surveys.

• Directed course development for the new degree and worked with the curriculum committee for degree and course approval.

 

English Department Chair, Florida SouthWestern State College, Ft. Myers, FL.  August 2012-

January 2014. 

• Faculty leader of the department, responsible for providing direction and support 

• to promote the highest possible levels in curriculum, assessments, and 

• activities in the department.   

• Oversaw the development and revision of the curriculum department-wide. 

• Verified consistency of departmental syllabi.

• Managed the department assessment process. 

• Member of the Unit Planning team. 

• Managed department-specific curricular planning and duties. 

• Provided organizational vision to faculty, staff, and students. 

• Provided input to deans and adjunct coordinators in developing 

• academic schedules. 

• Assisted in preparing and maintaining the budget. 

• Oversaw the textbook selection process. 

• Participated in faculty searches.

• Mentored new faculty. 

• Evaluated adjunct faculty 

• Taught three to four courses each semester.   

• Served on various college committees. 

• Responded to student concerns in conjunction with the dean 

 

Writing Program Administrator, Florida SouthWestern State College, Ft. Myers, FL. 

August 2009-May 2012. 

 

• Directed Writing Program; assisted the department chair in all administrative responsibilities. 

• Writing Center Liaison 

• Created and Conducted Faculty Development Workshops 

• Mentored new and adjunct faculty 

• Participated in and led faculty in course development, curriculum development, and assessment.

• Writing Program Administrator, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, 

• GA.  January 2004 – July 2006. 

 

Directed all aspects of the writing program; responsible for the following: 

• Chair of Composition Committee 

• Coordinated Faculty Development Workshops  

• Mentored new and adjunct faculty 

• Revised course descriptions and requirements 

• Publication of Student Guide 

• Curriculum Development 

• Coordinated Assessment of First-year composition for SACS report.

 

Learning Support Coordinator, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, GA 

Aug. 2005-June 2006.

 

Directed all aspects of the Writing Proficiency Examination for the state of Georgia; responsible for the following: 

• Designed Examination 

• Coordinated testing facilities 

• Coordinated faculty monitors  

• Coordinated faculty grading 

• Coordinated Assessment and final report

 

Director, Campus Life Enrichment, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

June 1994-June 1996.

 

Directed all aspects of the program, as follows:

• Faculty Lecture Series (60+ programs per year)

• Performing Arts Series (6+ programs per year)

• Bulloch County School Program (5+ programs per year)

• Georgia Council for the Arts Grants (7+ programs per year)

• Managed 100,000 budget

 

Publications and related work:

Books:

Cahill, Maria J. Helen Sawyer Hogg: One Woman’s Journey with the Stars. The Royal Astronomical Society 

of Canada, September 2026. ISBN 978-1-927879-42-9

Cahill, Maria and Ryan Roderick. Workplace Communication for Success. Top Hat, April 2020. 

Editorial Work (Book):

Hope, Jeff. Real Spies Don’t Use Rowboats. Half Tide Media, June 2024. ISBN 979-8-9903834-0-151599.

Jacobs, Philip W. The Other Person in the Picture: The Portrayal and Interpretation of Joseph the  

              Carpenter. Wipf and Stock, September 2022.ISBN-10-1666796565.

 

Guest Editor/Journal:

 

Sustaining English Programs in the Twenty-First Century. Special Guest Editors: Maria Cahill and Scott Ortolano. Spec. issue of South Atlantic Review 78.1-2 (2015).

Articles:

Cahill, Maria J. “Helen Sawyer Hogg and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, a Life-Long 

Partnership.”  Shared Sky: the RASC 1868-2018. Editor, R.A. Rosenfeld. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Fall 2021. (My chapter is completed and accepted, but the book is on hold.

Cahill, Maria J. and Scott Ortolano.  “Walking the Line: Expanding Horizons and Creating Opportunity at 

Florida SouthWestern State College.”  Sustaining English Programs in the Twenty-First Century. Spec. issue of South Atlantic Review 78.1-2 (2015): 152-71.

Cahill, Maria J.  “The Stars Belong to Everyone:  The Rhetorical Practices of Astronomer and Science 

Writer Dr. Helen Sawyer Hogg (1905-1993)”  Journal of the American Association of Variable Star 

Observers 40.1 (2012): 31-43.  

Racine, Maria. J. “Voice and Interiority in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were  

     Watching God.”  African American Review  28 (1994):  283-92.  

 

Editor (Article submitted for publication):

Jacobs, Philip W. “The Holkham Artist’s Interpretations of Matthean and Lucan Canonical Accounts of 

Joseph the Carpenter in the Early Fourteenth Century British Library MS 47682 Anglo-Norman 

Holkham Bible Picture Book.” Journal of the Bible and its Reception published by De Gruyter in 

Holland.

 

Textbook Reviews (Select):

Costanza, William.  The Writer’s Eye. McGraw-Hill, 2007.  

Faigley, Lester. The Brief Penguin Handbook. Pearson Longman, 2008. 

The Graduate Student and Adjunct Faculty Guide to Teaching Composition. Prentice-Hall, 2008. 

 

Academic Awards/Grants:

 

Sabbatical Award, Husson University, Bangor, Maine; Fall 2022 

Distinguished University Service Award, Husson University, Bangor, Maine; 2019 

Compare/Prepare/Share (Education Grant), Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, Georgia;  

2004-2005. 

Faculty/Staff Development Award, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, 2004. 

Research – Open, First Place for “A Historical Approach to Writing Instruction:  Women Writers in Our

Field.”  American Multicultural Leadership Conference, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater;        Whitewater, Wisconsin; April 29, 2001. (Award Sponsor, Johnson & Johnson)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Graduate Student Research Award, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 2000.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Graduate Student Teaching and Tuition Award, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1999; 2000. 

 

Professional Conference Presentations (Select): 

“Supporting Underprepared Writers in Writing about Writing: Creating Pathways for Successful 

Knowledge Transfer.” CCCC Annual Convention, March 9–12, 2022 (Online) Chicago, Illinois. 

“Helen Sawyer Hogg: One Woman’s Journey with the Stars.” RASC/AAVSO 2019 GA, York University, 

Toronto, CA. June 2019.

“Learning Support Education is Freshman Composition of the 21st Century.” South Atlantic 

Modern Language Association Annual Conference, Birmingham, AL. November 2018.

“Chair Challenges – Negotiating Change in the 21st Century English Department,” South Atlantic 

Modern Language Association Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL. November 2016.

“Program Politics: The Professional Risks and Rewards of Program Innovation.” Conference on College

Composition and Communication (CCCC). Tampa, FL. March 2015. 

“Building the Degree: Advice from the Front Lines, or A Model for Success.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. November 2014.

“Building the Degree: The Potential and Pitfalls of Establishing a Bachelor’s Degree in English During Uncertain Times.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. November 2013.

 “The Stars Belong to Everyone:  The Rhetorical Practices of Astronomer Dr. Helen Sawyer Hogg 

(1905-1993).”  The American Association of Variable Star Observers and the Historical Astronomy 

Division Centennial Conference; Boston, May 2011. 

“The Stars Belong to Everyone: The Rhetorical Practices of Astronomer and Science Writer Dr. Helen 

Sawyer Hogg (1905-1993).”  The Canadian Astronomical Society of Canada (CASCA) 2009; 

Toronto, Canada; May 2009. 

 “Practical Strategies to Improve Student Writing and Critical Thinking.” 7th Annual Student Success in 

First-Year Composition Conference; Statesboro, Georgia; February 2005.   

 

“A Historical Approach to Professional Writing Instruction:  Women Writers in Our Field.” The American 

Multicultural Student Leadership Conference; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Whitewater, 

Wisconsin; April 2001.  

 

 “Choral Readings:  Sound and Sense.”  Conference on College Composition and Communication; Denver, 

Colorado; March 2001. 

 

Conference Activities:

 

Chair. “A New Narrative of Learning Support for Future Success.” South Atlantic 

Modern Language Association Annual Conference, Birmingham, AL. November 2018.

Chair. “Chair Challenges – Negotiating Change in the 21st Century English Department,” South 

Atlantic Modern Language Association Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL. November 2016.

Co-Chair. “Program Politics: The Professional Risks and Rewards of Program Innovation.” Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC). Tampa, FL. March 2015. 

Co-Chair. “Building the Degree: Advice from the Front Lines, or A Model for Success.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. November 2014.

Co-Chair. Building the Degree: “The Potential and Pitfalls of Establishing a Bachelor’s Degree in English During Uncertain Times.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. November 2013.

 

Academic and College Service (select):

Husson University:

Communications Coordinator, Fall 2017-Spring 2022.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Events Committee, 2021-2024.

Promotion Committee, 2021-2022.

Dean Search Committee, 2019-2021.

Chair, English Faculty Search Committee, 2017-2018.

Professional and Technical Communication Degree Program development co-coordinator, 2015 to 2018.

Editor of Crosscut, Husson University’s literary journal, 2016-present.

BlueBlack Open Mic Event Coordinator, 2014-2025

Urban Poetry and Art Event Coordinator, 2014-2025.

Handbook Committee Member, 2015-2016.

Faculty Development and Awards Committee Member, 2016-2018.

Faculty Advisor to the English/Creative Writing Club, 2016-2025.

Faculty Advisor to the Outdoor Club, 2015-2018.

 

Florida SouthWestern State College (formerly Edison State College):

Editor of Illuminations, literary journal, 2009 - 2014. 

First-Year Experience, Diversity Committee member, Fall 2009-2010.

Multicultural Task Force member, October 2008-2013.

Sponsor and Originator of the Paul H. Jacobs Diversity Essay Award, 2008, 2009, and 2010. 

Chair, Dean Search Committee, 2013.

Search Committee Member, Florida SouthWestern State College, 2008-2014 (multiple committees and 

departments)

Academic Standards Committee member, Fall 2009 to Spring 2012. 

Faculty Senate member, Fall 2007 to 2014. 

Ad hoc Committee Member for Faculty Evaluation, September 2007 – 2008; January to June 2014.

Writing Center Liaison, 2010-2014

Assessment Team for English, Fall 2007-2009; Fall 2012-2014. 

Assessment Workshop Coordinator, October 2007. 

Poetry Slam Coordinator, 2009-2014.

Graffiti Poetry and Art Event Coordinator, 2009-2014.

Faculty Advisor to the Café, Arts, and Media club, Fall 2009 – 2010.   

Faculty Advisor to the Creative Writing Club, 2009-2013. 

 

Abraham Baldwin College:

 

Assessment Coordinator, 2005-2006

Day of the Arts Co-coordinator, 2005

 

Professional Memberships:

Conference on College Composition and Communication 

National Council Teacher of English

South Atlantic Modern Language Association

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada 

American Association of Variable Star Observers