Dr. Mimi Li, my dissertation advisor, profoundly influenced my academic path. Her influence extended far beyond academia; her warm and approachable nature created a healthy environment where ideas flourished and dreams took flight.
Miriam Akoto, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of French, Sam Houston State University
- Alum
Miriam Akoto is a skilled linguist from Ghana. She earned a doctoral degree in English with an emphasis in Applied Linguistics from A&M-Commerce in 2021 and currently teaches at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Mimi Li’s course “Teaching and Researching L2 Writing” at A&M-Commerce introduced Akoto to the captivating world of second-language writing and research and profoundly influenced her academic path. Li’s support and guidance since her doctoral studies have greatly contributed to Akoto’s continued intellectual and professional growth.
Education
- Ph.D., English/Applied Linguistics, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2021
- M.A., French, University of Arizona, 2016
- B.A. (Hons), French, Second Class Upper Division, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2013
- Diploma, French, (Diplôme d’études en Langue Française B2) Ministry of Education of France, 2013
- Diploma, French Studies, (Diplôme Universitaire d'Etudes Françaises, D.U.E.F), Université de Lomé (Centre International de Recherche et d’étude de Langues CIREL- VILLAGE DU BENIN), 2012
Honors and Awards
- First place, Oral presentation, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, 2016
- First place, French Poetry Competition, Department of French and Italian, University of Arizona, 2015
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Department of French and Italian, University of Arizona, 2015
Academic Positions
- Assistant Professor of French, Sam Houston State University, 2022-Present
- Lecturer of French, University of Michigan, 2021-2022
- Graduate Teaching Assistant, Literature and Languages, Texas A&M University–Commerce, 2016–2021
- French Teacher, Upward Bound Pre-collegiate program (TRiO Programs), Texas A&M University–Commerce, 2017
- Graduate Teaching Assistant, French and Italian, University of Arizona, 2014–2016
- Teaching Assistant, Modern Languages, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, 2013–2014