Dr. Laura Gonzales Appointed to Chair the CPTSC Diversity Committee
The Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Laura Gonzales as Chair of its Diversity Committee, beginning in February 2020.
Dr. Gonzales is an Assistant Professor of Digital Writing and Cultural Rhetorics in the Department of English at the University of Florida, teaching courses in technical and professional communication while also co-leading the department’s TRACE Innovation Initiative (https://trace.english.ufl.edu/about/). Dr. Gonzales’ teaching and research focus on the importance and value of cultural and linguistic diversity in technical communication and technology design.
A 2014 recipient of the CPTSC Diversity Award for graduate students and a co-recipient of a recent CPTSC research grant related to the development and sustainability of technical/professional writing programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions, Dr. Gonzales has also engaged in extensive service to the profession, bringing orientations provided by Women of Color feminists who model the importance of community sustainability as a priority.
As Chair of the Diversity Committee, Dr. Gonzales would like to work with CPTSC members to develop new ways of ensuring both inclusion and sustainability for multiply marginalized scholars in technical and scientific communication.
Dr. Gonzales replaces Dr. Natasha Jones who has served as Chair of the CPTSC Diversity Committee since 2015. During that time, Dr. Jones worked to increase the diversity and representation of committee members, collaborated with Dr. Gerald Savage to create the CPTSC Diversity and Social Justice Network listserv, served as the administrator of that listserv until 2018, and oversaw the annual CPTSC/Bedford St. Martin’s Diversity Scholarship for graduate students.
CPTSC thanks Dr. Jones for her years of service and looks forward to Dr. Gonzales’ future work in this role.
CPTSC brings together directors, administrator, and faculty who work in technical, professional and/or scientific writing and communication programs. The primary goals are to
- Promote programs and research in technical, professional, and scientific communication,
- Develop opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information concerning programs, research, and career opportunities, and
- Assist in the development and evaluation of new programs in technical, professional and scientific communication.
For more information about CPTSC, visit https://cptsc.org/