Laurie Britt-Smith, who joined UDM in 2008, is an assistant professor of English and Director of the Writing Program. An experienced teacher, Dr. Britt-Smith has worked as a high school teacher, a developmental writing instructor, and as an English instructor in both composition and literature. Additionally, she spent time exploring the world of law and has training and experience as a paralegal. She is fascinated by the intersections of cultural identity and language. Her research of the moment is focused on social justice rhetoric and its uses in the composition classroom. She received her B.A. in English with an emphasis in secondary education at Michigan State University, her M.A. in Literature at Western Michigan University, and her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition at Saint Louis University.