The Department of Linguistics is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni. We are delighted to share that Ryan Miller (BA Linguistics, 2000, Applied Linguistics and Second Language Learning and Teaching track) was recently promoted to Full Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESOL at Kent State University.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Ryan spent seven years teaching English as a foreign language in Japan before earning his MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Michigan State University, and his PhD in Second Language Acquisition at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on second language literacy development, English for specific purposes, and ESL teacher education.
Reflecting on his time at Michigan, Ryan recalls discovering the linguistics major during his junior year while studying abroad. Through email correspondence with the late Professor John Lawler, he was encouraged to pursue linguistics, officially declaring the major upon his return for his senior year. Fascinated by language—he was also a German major—Ryan quickly became deeply engaged with the field. The combination of core theoretical courses and applied classes, such as psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and second language acquisition, ultimately shaped his career path.
Ryan also remembers the support and mentorship he received from the faculty, especially Joan Morley, Carolyn Madden, and Teresa Satterfield. "The faculty were always so supportive," he shares. "I will be forever grateful for what I experienced and learned there."
Congratulations to Ryan Miller on this well-deserved achievement! We are proud to recognize his success and the impact he continues to make in the field of linguistics and language education.
