Curriculum Vitae Mark Isham

Business Address: Department of English University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Phone: 319-338-7369 E-mail: [email protected]

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Higher Education

Dissertation work with the late Merle Brown, after Brown’s death (1978), Sherman Paul on Ezra Pounds Cantos, The University of Iowa. Comprehensive Exams for Ph.D. in English, the University of Iowa, 1976. M.A. in English, Pass Plus, the University of Iowa, 1972. B.A. in English and History, Honors, the University of Illinois, 1971.

Professional and Academic Positions

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (1987-present Adjunct Professor and Visiting Professor)

FIRST YEAR SEMINAR: DRAWN INTO LEARNING: USE CARTOONS TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING: 08N:029 (Fall 2010; Fall 2011; FALL 2012, Fall 2013) Students record, compose, and apply first college experiences as a series of stories and images, study the work of those who use journals that reflect on their life experiences, talk with some of these artists and writers who will come to class, write and draw in class workshops, compose in a journal, and create a course project: a sequence of cartoons and writing.

WRITING FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY: 8N:113 (1991-present); practical techniques and exercises for memo writing, letter writing, report writing, proposal writing, cover letter and resume writing. • I also teach the correspondence version of the course.

ADVANCED WRITING FOR BUSINESS: TEAM WRITING AND DOCUMENT DESIGN: 8N:133 (1993-present); techniques for team writing in business and administrative settings: work with clients from the community, analysis of process, document design. • Featured in Continuing Connections newsletter for The Division of Continuing Education: “Writing Students meet the 'Real World'".

TEAM LEADER, CONSULTANT, ADVISOR, READER (Fall 2000-present) College of Engineering University of Iowa for writing assignments for Statics 57:001, Experimental Engineering 58:080, Biomedical Engineering Fundamentals 51:030, Materials Science 57:015, and the Hanson Center for Technical Communication. Give oral presentations to classes and visitors. Help students with oral presentations.

T.A. SEMINAR (Spring 2004-Spring 2007) 57:015 Materials Science, College of Engineering University of Iowa; helping T.A.s grade lab reports. Discuss common student writing problems and ways to fix them. Create handouts for T.A.s in future semesters.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected] EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL HISTORY: Academic Positions continued

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR ENGINEERS (56:195/58:195): College of Engineering (Fall 2004); a course for Engineering graduate and upper lever undergraduate students stressing abstracts, technical reports, proposals, a clear and logical writing style, logical arguments, sentence and paragraph structure, and large scale document outline.

ESSENTIALS OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION (59:004); College of Engineering (Spring 2003 and Spring 2004); a course for Engineering undergraduates in workplace writing, research, and presentation taught with John Forys, Director of the Engineering Library, who teaches the research portion of the course.

MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATIONS (for MBA students, 1987-91); practical techniques and exercises in design and tone of transactional communications.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS (for MBA students, 1987-88); transactional speech and writing skills, strategies in document design and execution.

Teaching Assistant, 1976-84: • RHETORIC 10:1, 10:2, 10:3; beginning, intermediate, and advanced expository writing, reading, speaking, and research writing. • INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE; drama, poetry, fiction. • NARRATIVE LITERATURE; drama, poetry, fiction.

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (1980-1999, 2002, Adjunct Professor)--Certificate of Appreciation for 5, 10, and 15 years of service. ELEMENTS OF WRITING Originated ELEMENTS Computer Classroom course COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS I COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS II COMPOSITION I MASS MEDIA & COMMUNICATION COMPOSITION II COMPOSITION II: TECHNICAL WRITING

COE COLLEGE (Fall 1984): READING LITERATURE; drama, poetry, fiction.

UNIVERSITY OF POITIERS Audio-Visual Center at Royan, France (1973-74, English as a Second Language tutor).

CORPORATE SEMINARS

ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.; Cedar Rapids, IA; Writing Workshop Designed for Engineering Professionals: Basic writing Tools, Writing for Different audiences, Choosing the best Medium, Choosing an Appropriate Style, Strong Sentences: Full day seminar including note taking, e-mail writing • July 25, 2013 • February 15, 2011 • January 22, 2009 • February 13, 2013 • December 14, 2010 • October 23, 2008 • September 20, 2012 • July 27, 2010 • May 20, 2008 • June 21, 2012 • April 13, 2010 • January 14, 2008 • March 22, 2012 • January 19, 2010 • November 20, 2007 • December 7, 2011 • October 20, 2009 • June 19, 2007. • September 8, 2011 • August 20, 2009. • February 8, 2007 • May 17, 2011 • May 21, 2009 • June 6, 2006.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected] CORPORATE SEMINARS continued

DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION; Oak Brook, Illinois; Work Place Writing: defining common writing problems, getting to the point, organizing around reader questions, using persuasion when appropriate, creating more effective sentences, choosing an appropriate style, and conveying difficult messages. I also trained Delta Dental staff as writing coaches worked as a consultant to Delta Dental for the next six months examining correspondence and other documents: March 28, 2008.

FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC, EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT; Marshalltown IA; Creating and Revising Effective Documents: clarifying technical material, organizing for clarity, making the case for what comes next, solving problems for customers, choosing the proper medium, choosing a tone, first aid for sick sentences: • Half day seminar on January 31, 2008. • Half day seminar on January 24, 2008. • Two seminars on January 5, 2006. • Two seminars on January 12, 2005. • August 4, 2003 (I also gave follow-up consultations for individual workers) • July 28, 2003.

JOHN DEERE AND COMPANY, Moline. IL; Creating and Revising Effective Documents: clarifying technical material, organizing for clarity, making the case for what comes next, solving problems for customers, choosing the proper medium, choosing a tone, and giving first aid to sick sentences: October 19, 2004.

PEARSON GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, Coralville Iowa; Creating an Effective Correspondence: Solutions to specific correspondence problems encountered when writing Department of Education responses to specific client questions: June 8, 2004.

MAYTAG RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS GROUP, MAYTAG CORPORATION; Newton IA; Workplace Writing Seminar: Review sentence structure, organization, audience, industry standards for product specifications: October 8, 2002.

NCS, NATIONAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.; Iowa City, IA 52244; Grammar Seminar: Review of sentence structure, basic grammar, and building document organization for effective writing: • November 4, 1999 • October 19, 1999

Writing to Meet Business Needs, four-week writing course; report and proposal writing; bottom-line, reader- based, paramedic editing for managers, engineers, customer service: • July 7, 1998-July 30, 1998 • September 9, 1997-October 2, 1997 • July 8, 1997-July 31, 1997 • April 29, 1997-May 22 1997

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected] CORPORATE SEMINARS continued

STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC.; Transactional Writing Workshop; Stanley Building, Muscatine, IA 52761; September 5, 1997.

HOWARD R. GREEN AND COMPANY, CONSULTING ENGINEERS; WRITING SEMINARS: • January 8, 1997--Collins Plaza Hotel; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Bottom-line, reader- based, paramedic editing for engineering and office staff. • January 7, 1997--The Inn at University; Des Moines, Iowa; Bottom-line, Reader- based, paramedic editing for engineering and office staff. • November 8, 1996--Center for Conferences at Des Moines Area Community College; Bottom-line, reader- based, paramedic editing for project managers.

IOWA ENGINEERING SOCIETY TECHNICAL WRITING SEMINAR, Center for Conferences and Institutes at The University of Iowa (January 30, 1995); techniques for memo writing, report writing, sentence structure.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, UNIVERSTIY OF IOWA, Seminar on Writing for all sections of Business Policy: 6B: 165 (August-September 1994); techniques for team writing, report writing, effective transactional strategies.

TRAINER IN MANAGEMENT SEMINARS (1987-1989) Cedar Rapids Economic Development Commission.

EQUIFAX INSURANCE SYSTEMS, Seminar on Writing (January-February 1986), techniques for report writing, effective transactional strategies, grammar.

TECHNICAL WRITING, EDITING

WRITER/RESEARCHER (February-March 2008) Writing That Works for Delta Dental: defining common writing problems, getting to the point, organizing around reader questions, using persuasion when appropriate, creating more effective sentences, choosing an appropriate style, and conveying difficult messages--also created coaching materials for writers to help one another; DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION; Oak Brook, Illinois.

WRITER (June-August 2006) National Science Foundation Report on Sustainability and Chemistry Workshop, May 30-June 1 2006. Vicki Grassian, University of Iowa and Gerald Meyer, John Hopkins University co-chairs, Katharine Covert, NSF Program Officer.

CONSULTANT (May-June 2006) National Science Foundation Workshop on Sustainability and Chemistry, May 30-June 1 2006 Report. Vicki Grassian, University of Iowa and Gerald Meyer, John Hopkins University co-chairs, Katharine Covert, NSF Program Officer.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected]

TECHNICAL WRITING, EDITING continued

WRITER/RESEARCHER (June 2006, revised 2007, 2010, 2012) Business Writing Workshop Designed for Engineering Professionals: basic writing tools, writing for different audiences, choosing the best medium, note taking, conveying a difficult message, choosing an appropriate style, strong sentences as a basic tool. ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.; Cedar Rapids, IA.

WRITER/RESEARCHER (Summer, 2003, revised October 2004, January 2005, January 2006, January 2008) Creating and Revising Effective Documents: clarifying technical material, organizing for clarity, making the case for what comes next, solving problems for customers, choosing the proper medium, choosing a tone, and giving first aid to sick sentences. Fisher Controls International LLC, Emerson Process Management, Marshalltown, IA.

EDITOR (May 2004) for “The Correlates of Community Attractiveness” an article for Tom Rice Professor, Political Science University of Iowa.

WRITER/RESEARCHER (Fall 2002) Writing Guidelines for using Military Standard 961D in creating washing machine specifications, Maytag Corporation, Newton Iowa.

EDITOR (Spring 2001) of Facilities Services Group Guide to Resources, University of Iowa.

EDITOR (Summer/Fall 2000) of revised correspondence study manual, 8N: 113, Writing for Business and Industry, University of Iowa, Division of Continuing Education.

EDITOR (Summer/Fall 2000) of text for web site of 8N: 113, Writing for Business and Industry, University of Iowa, Division of Continuing Education.

EDITOR (Summer 1999) fertility pamphlet for Allen Consulting Inc.

EDITOR 1986-present) • For Ph.D. theses: Business Administration, Hospital Administration, ,The College of Nursing, Engineering • National Accounting Committee report for Ramji Balakrishnan, Univ. of Iowa Associate Professor of Accounting, and others on future research in Accounting. • Articles by Professor J. R. Buck (U. I. Dept. Of Industrial Management and Engineering) on repetitive motion studies. • Second edition, The Cervical Cap Handbook, Emma Goldman Clinic. • Article for Prof. David Curry (U. I. College of Bus. Admin.) for Harvard Business Review. • Computer program for Civil Rights Development Claims for T. Raz (U. I. Dept. of Engineering). • Everyone Wins: A Model Physical Education Cardiovascular Conditioning Program for U. I. College of Medicine: Office of Consultation and Research. • Prospectus (a newsletter) and the annual report for the U. I. College of Business Administration.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected] TECHNICAL WRITING, EDITING continued

PUBLICITY CHAIR (1987-1992) FRIENDS of the Iowa City Public Library; • Editor/reporter: The Bookmark (newsletter): copy writing: advertisements, press releases. • Design: bookmarks, book sale posters, circulars

EDITOR AND TRANSLATOR of English language prospectus for The University of Poitiers at Royan, France.

SCHOLARSHIP

Invited Lectures and Conference Presentations

Graphic Note-Taking: for the University of Iowa’s 4CAST Technology Seminar, January 17, 2013, Iowa City, Iowa.

On April 3, 2012, October 20, 2011 and March 10, 2012, presentations and workshops at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids on using cartoons to improve writing.

"Drawn into Learning", a faculty seminar sponsored by the Center for Teaching, with Rachel Williams, October 12, 2011: a workshop about helping students tap into deep learning - and their visual and kinesthetic learning styles - by creating cartoons and comic strips. Interview and tape made for KRUI 89.7 fm and University of Iowa television.

"Comic Book Cafe", talk by me and my students about keeping a comic journal during University of Iowa Library “Thought Balloons: Talking about Comics”, October 4, 2011.

Appearance on Joan Kjaer's radio and television program for International Programs, World Canvass, on September 23 on KRUI 89.7 FM to talk about teaching comic journals.

On Thursday November 18, 2010, appearance on KRUI 89.7 fm program about memory. Talked to Emily Woodbury about using comics to encourage reflection and discussed my daily comic journal. Listeners can still download the program at

Poetry Marathon appearance on September 9, 2010 with Dave Morice, Dr. Alphabet, at Deluxe Bakery drawing cartoons as part of Morice’s Poetry City Marathon connected to the University of Iowa Main Library exhibit of the literary life in Iowa City.

CV Writing Seminar, Monday, March 15, 2010 presentation for the College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, for Pharmacy Graduate Students.

"Drawn into Learning", appearance on Talk of Iowa program on Iowa Public Radio, with Rachel Williams, December 17, 2009: about our workshops on helping students tap into deep learning - and their visual and kinesthetic learning styles - by creating cartoons and comic strips, campus wide reaction to our workshops, and cartooning.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected]

SCOLARSHIP: Invited Lectures and Conference Presentations Continued

"Drawn into Learning", an Art History faculty seminar sponsored by the Center for Teaching, November 17, 2009: a workshop about how to help students tap into deep learning - and their visual and kinesthetic learning styles - by creating cartoons and comic strips.

"Drawn into Learning", a faculty seminar sponsored by the Center for Teaching, with Rachel Williams, September 22, 2009: a workshop about how to help students tap into deep learning - and their visual and kinesthetic learning styles - by creating cartoons and comic strips.

“Spotlight Iowa City: Drawing comics to reflect” by Josie Jones, September 21, 2009 in The Daily Iowan: profile of Mark Isham as a cartoonist and his work with Rachel Williams creating “Drawn into Learning”, the faculty seminar.

“Addressing Multiple Audiences” and “Common Writing Problems”, presentation for the Eastern Iowa Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), February 21, 2008, Cedar Rapids, Iowa--also talked about experiences giving seminars at Midwestern engineering firms and challenges of teaching undergraduate engineers.

"How to do Technical Presentations", speech for the College of Engineering Open House, April 20, 2006, College of engineering at the University of Iowa.

“The Art Of PowerPoint”, Speech for Theta Tau, an Engineering fraternity, March 21, 2006, Mecca Week at the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa.

“Introducing Transactional Writing: Persuasion and Clarity”, The American Marketing Association, student chapter at the Tippie School of Business, March 1, 2006, at the University of Iowa.

“Articulating Technology: Building a Culture of Communication”, Thomas R. Watson Conference on Rhetoric and Technical Composition, October 8, 2004.

“Writing for Engineers”, Midwest Expo, Hispanic Engineering Society, November 11, 2003.

“Writing for Business: an Introduction”, Advantage Iowa, Career Development Seminar, Iowa Memorial Union, October 14, 2000, March 25, 2000.

Public Readings of my poetry, Kirkwood Community College Iowa City, October 14, 1998.

Public Readings of my essays “Putzing”, “The Images That Had Power over Me”, Kirkwood Community College Iowa City, March 9, 1998.

Panelist “The Solo Service Provider” at the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, the University of Iowa, December 8, 1997.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected]

SCOLARSHIP: Invited Lectures and Conference Presentations Continued

Public Reading of my essay “Doing it Right”, Kirkwood Community College Iowa City, December 6, 1995.

Public Readings of my essays “Origin”, “Summer 1985”, Kirkwood Community College Iowa City, 9 March 1995.

In-service presentation on writing comments on student papers for The Iowa Intensive English Program, University of Iowa.

Public lecture on The Pisan Cantos by Ezra Pound: “Standing by His Word”, The University of Iowa, December 15, 1985.

PUBLICATIONS OR CREATIVE WORKS

“Seeing Iowa from many perspectives”, about being a member of the 2012 Faculty Engagement Tour. Iowa Now, the University of Iowa news service online newsletter, published May 18, 2012.

Illustration for Center for Teaching poster display in the Main University Library (June 2008-present).

Cartoon: “I Haven’t Been Able to Get a ‘Meow” in Edgewise”. Talk: A Newsletter from the Center for Teaching (Fall 2008, Volume 12, Number 1).

Interview:” Drawing on Experience”. Talk: A Newsletter from the Center for Teaching (October 2007, Volume 11, Number 2).

“Saying it Clearly is Key”. Corridor Business Journal 15-21 November 2004:16.

“Getting it Done”. Corridor Business Journal, Premiere Edition 26 July 2004:16.

Article on Caterpillar for American Literary Magazines: The Twentieth Century. Ed. Edward E. Chielens. Westport, CT: The Greenwood Press, 1992. 60-65.

Article on Origin for American Literary Magazines: The Twentieth Century. Ed. Edward E. Chielens. Westport CT: Greenwood Press, 1992. 225-231.

Article on using journals for research writing; Communication Arts Newsletter, May 1992, Kirkwood Community College.

Article “Critical Reading in a time of War”; Communication Arts Newsletter, February 1991, Kirkwood Community College.

Book reviews for KCCK radio (Kirkwood Community College) 1983: • The Last Lunar Baedeker by Mina • Postwar Polish Poetry by Czeslaw Loy. Milosz. • The Gift by H.D. • The Yale Gertrude Stein Mark Isham E-mail [email protected] PUBLICATIONS OR CREATIVE WORKS Continued

Book Reviews for the Daily Iowan (1979): • Black Mountain and Since: “Objectivist Writing in America”, Special issue The Chicago Review. • Charles Olson: Some Early Poems edited by Sherman Paul. • Fielder’s Choice: Anthology of Baseball Fiction ed. Jerome Holtzman.

ACADEMIC SERVICE

Faculty Engagement Corps planning committee for 2012 (2011-2012) and for 2013 (2012-2013): planning itinerary, purpose, and evaluation of 2012 Faculty Engagement Corps trip (May 16-18, 2012) and Faculty Engagement trip (May 22-24, 2013).

Faculty Engagement Corps (May 18-20, 2011, May 16-18, 2012, May 22-24, 2013); sponsored by the Office of the Provost of the University of Iowa, member of faculty who met with elementary school administrators and teachers, hospital administrators and staff, city officials, state administrators and staff in education and natural resources, and ordinary citizens in Marshalltown, Webster City, Goodell, and Des Moines Iowa in 2011 and in Waterloo, New Hampton, Decorah, West Union and Sumner in 2012; Spencer, Okoboji, Esterville, Lester, Orange City, Le Mars, Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Storm Lake in 2013, later submitted cartoon journal of each trip to the Provost; met with President Mason and Provost Butler September 19, 2011, and September 26, 2012.

University of Iowa Engineering Department (July-August 2000) Committee to define Technical Communication Coordinator position and the direction for the delivery of technical communication course work.

Kirkwood Community College English Department (1987-1999): Book Selection Committee Staff Orientation “Computers in the Classroom” workshop Writing Faculty Retreat

University of Iowa English Department (1976-1984) Book Selection Committee Core Literature Operations Staff Orientation Core Lit. Conference Group Teacher Evaluation Organizer Graduate Colloquium Search Committee Assistant Professor of modern poetry and criticism

HONORS

Recognized by the Graduating Class of 2011, 2012, 2013, and President Mason, Provost Butler, and Vice President Tom Rocklin of the University of Iowa as making a positive difference in student lives—nominated by students.

Recognized by the College of Engineering and Graduating Class of 2011, 2012, 2013 of the University of Iowa as making a positive difference in student lives—nominated by students.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected]

HONORS continued

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION, 5th Annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch, November 14, 2006, The University of Iowa Fraternity and Sorority Community— nominated by the women of Zeta Tau Alpha.

Selected for the Service Learning Faculty Institute 2006 for developing a curriculum for service-learning based teaching in 8N: 133 Team Writing and Document Design (May 2006 through Fall Semester 2006.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Board member of Sackter House Media Productions: “advocate for persons with disabilities by telling their stories through media productions”. January 2009-present.

Appearances as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Longfellow School, Iowa City, 27 March 1998, 17 April 1996.

Iowa City Press Citizen Editorial Advisory Board: review of stories, advice on coverage: (August 1996-March 1997).

PTA President, Longfellow School, Iowa City (June 1995-June 1996). • Administered PTA budget of over $8,000. • Chaired PTA Board, meetings. • Coordinated the work of 24 PTA committees. • Devised, chaired, implemented first Longfellow Poetry Day, Longfellow School, Iowa City (17 April 1996). o Recruited nationally known poets, James Galvin, James McKean, Robert Rehder, local poets, and others to make classroom visits. o Created a poetry reading program hosted by Dan Coffey (Dr. Science) and recorded for radio broadcast on WSUI at a later date. o Coordinated activities of Dr. Alphabet (Dave Morice) ! to assemble the world’s largest pencil, ! to wrap the Longfellow building in poetry written by students, ! to design and produce “poetry nickels” and “poem makers”, ! to make Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poetry medallions later featured in Coin World, 10 June 1996. o Obtained Iowa Arts Council Grant to fund Dave Morice’s participation.

Room parent, SCI classroom, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth grade. Longfellow School (1991-1997).

Iowa City School District Special Education Options Committee (December 1993- February 1994).

Parent Interview Team, search for Longfellow Principal (April-July 1993).

Writing Tutor, SCI classroom and Third and Fourth Grade, Longfellow School (1992- 1993).

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected] COMMUNITY SERVICE continued

Publicity Director, Board Member, FRIENDS of the Iowa City Public Library (1987-1992).

Reading tutor, First and Second Grade, Longfellow School (1989-1991).

Assistant Coach, Longfellow Iowa City Kickers Soccer Team (Spring 1990).

Iowa Intensive English Program: lectures on American poetry, discussion participant, panelist on American families, etc. (1979-present).

“Key Person” at College Street Cooperative Playgroup (1984-86): preparation of orientation materials; member recruitment; radio presentation for “The Dottie Ray Show"; Four Cs representative.

Mark Isham E-mail [email protected]