College of Education and Human Development

School of Social Work

Molly Rojas Collins

  • Director of Undergraduate Studies; Senior Teaching Specialist

  • Office Hours

    By appointment.

Areas of interest

Literature, writing, and working with non-native speakers of English.

Degrees

MA TESL University of Minnesota, 1999
MA American Studies, University of Minnesota, 2009

Biography

What motivates me in my work?

Usually, people come to college with the desire to make their lives different. I believe education helps people move from less choice to more choice. Working with students to help them meet their goals and expand their choices is highly motivating for me. I am energized by students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, and value their perspectives in my classroom.

What can students expect from me?

My classes are designed to help students acquire the skills needed to succeed in college. I am an open, fair-minded instructor who enjoys interacting with students and supporting them to do their best work. Through discussions, assignments and group projects, students receive many opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. I also provide regular feedback to foster understanding and skills development.

Publications

Murie, Robin; Collins, Molly Rojas; Detzner, Daniel F. Building Academic Literacy from Student Strength: An Interdisciplinary Life History Project.  23. 2.  2004. 70-92.  Print

Collins, Molly Rojas, Murie, Robin, & Detzner, Dan. Finding a voice and a place: Using life histories in a second language writing classroom.  Minnewitesol Journal.   22. 2005

Rojas Collins, Molly.  " Writing Their Own History:  Student Learning Outcomes in a Multilingual University Writing Classroom."  The Learning Assistance Review.    2009. 14  p55-70

The Multicultural Classroom: Immigrants Reading the Literature of the American Immigrant Experience.  Minnewitesol Journal.  18. 2001. Print

Presentations

2000 In-Service. Basic Writing Fall Training. August 2000 General College, University of Minnesota. Sequencing of a basic writing unit.

2000 CCCC Conference. April 2000. Examining Intersections between ESL and Basic Writing. Minneapolis, MN. Co-presenter with R. Murie, P. Eliason, J. O'Hatnick.

2000 TESOL 2000. Examining Intersections between ESL and Basic Writing.Vancouver, BC. March 14-18, 2000. Co-presenter with R. Murie, P. Eliason, J. O'Hatnick.

2000 TESOL 2000. Immigrants Reading the Immigrant Experience. Vancouver, BC. March 14-18, 2000. Co-presenter with R. Murie, P. Eliason.

1999 MNTESOL. A Model forAdjunct Reading Courses St. Paul, MN. October 1999. Co-presenter with J. Trites, P. Eliason.

1999 MNTESOL. Examining Intersections between ESL and Basic Writing Adjunct St. Paul, MN. October 1999. Co-presenter with J. O'Hatnick.

1999 MNADE. Immigrants Reading the Immigrant Experience Brooklyn Center, MN. October 1999. Co-presenter with R. Murie, P. Eliason.

1999 In-service. Commanding English Program. September 1999. Fall Training Training for staff: Feedback to Student Writing.

1999 TESOL 1999. New York, NY. Developed presentation with R. Murie, J. Trites, J. O'Hatnick.