Title: Professor Emeritus-Linguistics
Company: University of Texas at San Antonio
Location: San Antonio, TX United States

San Antonio, TX, January 18, 2016, Carolyn L. Kessler, SP, PhD, Professor Emeritus in Linguistics, Division of Bicultural Bilingual Studies, has been recognized by Elite Women Worldwide for dedication, achievement and leadership in linguistics and English as a Second Language (ESL) education.

Dr. Kessler has known since high school that she wanted to be a teacher, but didn’t discover linguistics until a former professor suggested she would be good at this field of the science of language since it combined both her interests in French and chemistry, which she had taught at the high school level for eleven years. She graduated with a BA in French from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, Indiana, after which she entered the Sisters of Providence there, celebrating 60 years as a member in 2014. Dr. Kessler became an expert in linguistics and second language acquisition and learning, teaching ESL at Stanford University; Immaculata College of Washington; University of Rome, Italy; and Providence University, Taiwan, among others.  She is a Member of the Founding Faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), retiring after 25 years in the Division of Bicultural Bilingual Studies where she taught in the master’s degree program for Teaching English as a Second Language. Working with students, observing their growth in a field new to them was always an inspiration for her.  She was a frequent contributor at national and international conferences and has published extensively in her field.

Although now retired, Dr. Kessler continues involvement with UTSA through the Retired Faculty Association. She enjoys sharing her experiences with new students and younger teachers whose lives cross her path. Dr. Kessler hopes to be remembered for her ability to help her students discover the joy or learning.  For her, every accomplishment and opportunity she has had over the past 60 years has woven together to form a very important personal and professional history. She continues to have a love and passion for learning and educating others.  It is very meaningful to her to hold the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award in Recognition of Teaching Excellence from UTSA, to have been a Fulbright Lecturer to Italy, and to hold a PhD in linguistics from Georgetown University.

Contact Dr. Carolyn L. Kessler