Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, PhD
mohanalakshmi@hotmail.com
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature and Cultural Studies, 2008
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Dissertation: National Allegories, Personal Stories: The Use of Domestic Narratives In India and Algeria
Advisors: Apollo Amoko, PhD and Malini Schueller, PhD
Masters of Arts in English, Creative Writing and World Literature, 2002
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC Projects: Inside the Harem: Ismat Chughtai and Khadija Mastur; Weeds and Other Stories
Bachelor of Arts, English and Psychology, 2000
Peace College, Raleigh, NC
LANGUAGES
Spanish, Tamil (spoken), Arabic (intermediate, spoken)
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Reading and Writing Development Director, January 2009 – June 2011
Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, Doha, Qatar
Designed and implemented initiatives to encourage literacy for a lifetime for residents and citizens of Qatar World Book Day, ex-pat and local women’s book clubs, shared reading campaigns, as well as author talks, writing institutes, and mentor to aspiring Qatari writers one on one in writing salon setting.
Educational Consultant, September 2006-March 2009
Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Consultant to Associate Vice President of Student Affairs for expansion and implementation of additional support service areas including Special Needs students, Academic Resource Center, and Counseling Center. Also created and implemented projects for faculty development, student activities, international as well as local collaborations, service, and professional training for staff.
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, June 2005-July 2006
Georgetown University, Doha, Qatar
Chief student affairs officer and member of the senior management team. Assisted in academic meetings with faculty and staff, created public lecture series, and comprehensive co-curricular program including events, community outreach, as well as with other academic institutions.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Fall 2011
Focused Inquiry (UNIV 111)
Designed and delivered a course for first year students on composition and comprehension as well as other skills essential for successful university work. Focused Inquiry replaces the traditional English 101 course in the VCUQ core curriculum and includes an emphasis on written and oral communication skills.
Focused Inquiry (UNIV 112)
Developed and taught this course which is the second part of a core curriculum requirement for all first-year students and a requirement in the VCUQ Core Education Program. The emphasis was on writing literary analysis, expository essays, and constructing arguments around the theme of Self and Other.
Invited Instructor, Spring 2006, Spring 2007
Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Essay Writing
Created and taught a new essay writing course for third year students as a part of curriculum redesigning at Qatar University. Considerable lecture and out of class time spent with students on writing process and strategies as well as the basics of writing including outlining and revising.
Supplemental Writing Instructor, Fall 2004
Chatham College, Pittsburgh, PA
Supported first year writing seminars with out of class meetings with students to develop writing skills. Created individual writing plans with students to focus on grammar, thesis statements, and content improvement.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, 2002-2004
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Gender and Ethnicity in American Literature (AML 2070)
Selected reading list, textbook, and created course objectives focused around gender and ethnicity as depicted in American fiction, drama, and poetry. Graded papers and delivered class lectures.
Creative Writing Seminar (CRW 1101)
Selected the textbook, grammar handbook, guided discussion and administrated grading for undergraduate seminar of creative writing. Provided critical reading assignments and exploratory writing assignments for developing student writers. Topics covered included the basics of fiction including plot, story from, structure, character, theme, point of voice, etc.
Technical Communication (ENC 2210)
Designed syllabus, graded papers, and delivered lectures for two sections of Technical Communication. Created a web page for the course and message board for class communication.
Argumentative Writing (ENC 1101)
Designed syllabus, selected textbook, and delivered lectures for two sections of composition. Writing topics covered included Compare/Contrast, Cause/effect, Review, Research paper.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, 2000-2001
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Studies in Fiction (ENG 208)
Assisted in delivering weekly lectures and grading exams, papers, and quizzes. Course dealt with narrative theory and short story structure with authors such as Mary Shelley, Charlotte Bronte, Jonathan Swift, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Jean Rhys, and Toni Morrison.
Major American Authors (ENG 252)
Assisted in facilitating weekly class discussions, administering and grading quizzes, papers, and exams. Authors covered included, Edgar Allen Poe, Jonathan Edwards, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Maxine Hong-Kingston, and Alice Walker.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Annotator for Routledge Bibliography of English Studies Database
Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, 2008-present
To research and write annotated entries for noted authors and works of literature to be published in a database accessible to academic institutions, libraries, etc.
Middle East Partnership Initiative Grantee, “Qatari Narratives: Women Speak”
United States Department of State, 2008
Federally funded grant to work with female Qatari nationals on writing skills for publication of anthology of personal reflections on women’s issues related to modernity, culture, and society.
Graduate Consultant, Campus Writing and Speaking Program
North Carolina State University 2001-2002 Part of faculty development program offered by CWSP, focusing on syllabus design and course development for faculty members.
CONTRIBUTOR
AudioFile Magazine, Explore Qatar, Woman Today, The Woman, Vox Magazine, Writers and Artists Yearbook, QatarClick, Qatar Explorer, Expat Radio, Qatar Foundation Radio, Global Coach Academy, Expat Arrivals, Variety Arabia
NON FICTION PUBLICATIONS
Rajakumar, Mohanalakshmi. Hip Hop Dance (The American Dance Floor). Greenwood Press, 2012.
“Faceless Facebook.” New Media and Literacies and Participatory Popular Culture across Borders. Routledge Press, Forthcoming.
Editor, Vox Magazine, Doha Modern Printing Press, Qatar 2010-2011.
Rajakumar, Mohanalakshmi and Silvia Pessoa. “The Impact of English medium in Higher Education: The Case of Qatar.” 153-178. Global Englishes, Peter Lang, 2011.
Co-editor, Henderson, Carol. Qatari Voices. Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (2010).
Rajakumar, Mohanalakshmi, Silvia Pessoa, PhD and Halim Chouriey eds. “Stories from In Between.” Hazawi. Doha Modern Printing Press (2010).
Co-editor, Al Subaiey, Maryam. Glimpses Of Qatar. Al Sharq Printing Press (2010).
Rajakumar, Mohanalakshmi, Haram in the Harem: Domestic Narratives in India and Algeria. Peter Lang Publishing (2009).
Co-editor, Henderson Carol. Qatar: Then and Now. Al Sharq Printing, (2009).
“Between Women and Their Bodies: Male Perspectives of Female Partition Experiences.” South Asian Review. 29.1 (2008).
Co-editor, Henderson, Carol. Qatar Narratives. Al Sharq Printing, (2008).
“From East to West and Back Again.” SNReview 10.1 (2008).
“Gail Godwin.” Wilson, Charles Reagan, gen. ed., The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, vol. 9, Literature, ed. M. Thomas Inge. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC, 2008.
“Male Student Engagement Taskforce Survey Summary.” Tawasol: Qatar University Reform Journal. 8. (2008). 11-14.
“Low Stakes Writing and Speaking.” Sustaining Excellence in Communicating Across the Curriculum: Cross-Institutional Experiences Best Practices. Cambridge Scholars Press, UK. (2007) 101-110.
“The Role of QU Students in University Governance.” Tawasol: Qatar University Reform Journal. 7. (2007). 2-4.
“Viola, And Let the Words Flow,” Woman Today. April 2007.
“Nine Parts of Desire Brings Iraqi Women to Life.” Woman Today. March 2007.
“South Asians Outside Their Borders, Part One: Construction Workers in the Middle East.” Pittsburgh Patrika.12.2 (2007).
“Towards Improvements in English Language and Literature Teaching: Communicating Across the Curriculum.” Diviner. DAV College Sector 10: Chandigarh, India. Fall 3.2 (2006) 9-12.
“Assia Djebar’s Short Stories and Women” International Journal of the Humanities 4.4 (2006).
“Terrorists and Mullahs.” www.EducationNews.org July 3, 2006.
“India, Imperial (1858-1947).” Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450. Ed. Jenai Mynatt. Mcmillian Reference: USA. 2005.
“Indian National Movement (1885-1947).” Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450. Ed. Jenai Mynatt. Mcmillian Reference: USA. 2005.
“Dismantling Patriarchal Marriage in The Quilt and Other Stories.” Annual of Urdu Studies. University of Wisconsin Press: Madison, WI 2005:20.
“ABCD: Learning Without a Manual.” The Pittsburgh Patrika. 9.2 (2004).
Book Review of Stitches On Time: Colonial Textures and Postcolonial Tangles by Dube Saurabh. Durham: Duke University Press, 2004. Published in Reconstruction, Fall 2004: 4.4.
Book Review of Bilingual Aesthetics: A Sentimental Education by Doris Sommers. Durham: Duke University Press, 2004. Published in Reconstruction, Fall 2004: 4.4.
“Looking for Love in all Places: The First Job Search” NetResults, May 2004.
“Why is Everyone Looking at Me? The Non-White Experience in Higher Education.” The Talking Stick. June 2004.
Book Review: “Necessary Reading: Jon K. Coleman’s RA Types.” The Journal of College and University Student Housing. June 2004.
FICTION PUBLICATIONS
“Exposure.” Cooweescoowee. 2007: 7.
“Dasi.” Book of Voices. Ed. Michael Butscher Flame Books: England. March 2005.
“Truth.” River Walk Journal. 2005: 1.5.
“Plates.” Americana.2004. 5.6.
“Tree” Americana. 2004: 2.6.
“Baby” Szirine. Fall 2004.
PRESENTATIONS
Panel member, “Studying the Experiences and Attitudes of Students Transitioning to College” Nov 2009
Challenges of Multilingualism, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Panel, member, “Identity, Values, and Education in English in Qatar.” June 2008
SIG Writing conference, Lund University, Sweden
“Identity, Language and Culture: The Influence of Post-Secondary Education in Qatar” March 2008
American Association for Applied Linguistics, Washington, D.C.
Panel member, “Writing at the Center: WAC, WID & WC” June 2006
European Writing Centers Association: Connecting the Dots, Bogazici University, Istanbul
Chairperson, “Discourses on Women’s Participation, Past and Present.” March 2006
Arab Women, Past and Present: Participation and Democratization
Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
Keynote address, “Whose Idea is English Anyway? Principles for Global Classrooms” September 2006
Towards Improvement in English Language and Literature Teaching, DAV College, Chandigarh, India
“Creating International Service Learning Opportunities: Students and Disaster Relief.” April 2005
NASPA Annual Conference, Tampa, FL
“Low Stakes Writing and Speaking: Using Everyday Tasks to Boost Student Abilities” November 2005
On the Road to Sustainable Excellence, American University in Cairo, Egypt
“Enable Others to Act: Empowerment and Student Leadership” April 2005
G.I.L.D Leadership Conference, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
“Stand and Deliver: Understanding the Leadership Challenge” October 2004
Fall Leadership Conference University of Pittsburgh, Greensburgh, PA
“Servant Leadership: The Millennial Model.” April 2003
Art of Leadership Conference, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
“Muslim Women’s Writings.” March 2003
University of Florida Women’s Studies Symposium, Gainesville, FL
“Inside the Harem: Ismat Chughtai and Khadija Mastur Pulling Aside the Veil.” March 2002
12 Annual British Commonwealth Conference, Savannah, GA
“Assia Dejbar’s Response to Franz Fannon’s Algeria Unveiled.” April 2002
University of Florida Graduate and Professional Student Forum Gainesville, FL
AWARDS
She Writes New Novelist Competition 2011
Qatar University Doha, Qatar 2007
President’s Award for Excellence in Service
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 2002-2004
English Department Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching
President’s List of Outstanding Students
Multicultural Student Award
Top Eleven to Watch at the University of Florida
Peace College Raleigh, NC 1998-2007
Distinguished Young Alumnae
Leadership Scholar
Outstanding Minority Leadership Award
Schtwerman Award for Excellence in English
Miss Peace, Exemplary Citizenship Award
Outstanding Bachelors Degree Candidate
