Miriam Akoto is originally from Ghana but her experiences in many Francophone countries in West Africa have instilled in her an interest in cross-linguistic and cross-cultural communication. She received her undergraduate degree in French with a minor in English from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana in 2013. Akoto received her master’s degree in French, with a specialization in Teaching French as a Foreign Language from the University of Arizona in 2016. She is currently teaching French at A&M-Commerce.

Educational Background

• 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

1. First place, Oral presentation, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, 2016
2. First place, French Poetry Competition, Department of French and Italian, University of Arizona, 2015
3. 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