Doctor of Philosophy
Education: Literacy Curriculum and Instruction
University of Colorado, Boulder
Master of Arts
Literature
Texas State University
Bachelor of Arts
English
Lamar University
Teaching entry-level courses like Academic Literacies (ACL-040) and the Student Success Seminar (ACA-100) at AACC, Christine Zabala-Eisshofer meets many students just beginning their college journey.
“I like to be one of the first faces that students see in their college experience, so that I can put a friendly face on the institution,” she said.
Being a welcoming presence from the start is especially important to Zabala-Eisshofer because she understands how transformational education can be.
“I'm really passionate about access — my father is a first-gen immigrant from Mexico, and access to higher education changed his entire life. I want to be part of that process for all students.”
Although her courses are rigorous, she makes sure they also have a healthy dose of care, flexibility and support. Her efforts seem to be paying off. One student described her approach as “radical empathy.”
In return, she finds constant inspiration in her students. She says she reads or hears something new and thought-provoking from them every semester.
Zabala-Eisshofer has lived in six states, with Maryland being the most recent. The state’s environment suits her passion for nature. When she’s not exploring Maryland’s outdoors, she enjoys storytelling through “nerdy activities” like reading, video games and Dungeons & Dragons.
