Michele S. Bowman, Ph.D.

ESL Program Director
Cleveland State University

What inspired you to work in this field?
I studied linguistics because of my love of languages and came to teaching ESL through my desire to help others.

What are the challenges you've faced?
One of the many challenges has been advocating for students and the ESL program. Some people without a connection to international education do not always understand the benefit of providing language support to non-native speakers. Another challenge has been identifying the need for budgetary support, especially for recruitment. Bringing new students in through intensive English programs at college level requires institutional support, a team effort. 

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I would like our program to be grow and thrive. I would like to add to the types of instruction/support it provides to the students, campus and community.  

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Seek out help when you need it, don’t wait. You will need to continue to polish your language skills even after you get that “minimum” score for admission. Whether you think of language as a foundation or a tool for your studies, you will not stop learning. Then, when you are in the position to help someone else, do not hesitate to do so. 

One of my favorite quotes by Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made…It should not be that women are the exception.”