USU-Uintah Basin Professor Awarded Fulbright Grant
Alan Blackstock will teach in Ecuador for a semester on a Fulbright grant at the University of Cuenca. Blackstock is the first USU Regional Campus faculty member to be named a Fulbright scholar.
Alan Blackstock, professor at Utah State University-Uintah Basin (USU-UB), has been awarded a Fulbright grant and will have the opportunity to teach in Ecuador for a semester at the University of Cuenca. Blackstock is the first USU Regional Campus faculty member to be named a Fulbright scholar.
Blackstock has extensive experience as an English professor, as well as teaching and training English teachers across the world. Before accepting a tenure-track position at USU, he spent much of his career mentoring future English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers.
“Certainly each culture and setting presents its own unique challenges,” said Blackstock. “But the essential skills required for quality education are the same no matter the cultural setting.
I welcome the opportunity to assist in encouraging student-centered learning, as well as providing assistance in curriculum development, teacher training, and mentoring.”
Executive Director of USU-UB, James Taylor, believes Blackstock has the necessary experience and ability to go above and beyond the University of Cuenca’s expectations.
“Alan’s passion for quality instruction and environmental education will be major assets for his work in Ecuador,” he said. “He has received top awards throughout his career, including regional campus teacher of the year and USU-UB teacher of the year in 2012. We wish Alan well and look forward to his return.”
Although Blackstock plans on spending a majority of his time in Ecuador teaching, he will also conduct research.
“I am particularly interested in examining the delivery of English learning via distance-education technology,” said Blackstock. “Interactive video teaching is a method well established at USU.”
He will investigate what options for higher education are available for those who are unable to travel to an urban center, and how these opportunities might be increased or enhanced.
Blackstock will begin work as a Fulbright scholar with the University of Cuenca in August 2017.
Contact and Writer: Dana Rhoades, 435-722-1788, dana.rhoades@usu.edu
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