Directors
Dr. Liz C. Stephens, Professor Emerita
Director
Dr. Stephens taught for 10 years at secondary level public schools (English, journalism) and 31 years at the university level. While on faculty in the College of Education, she served as professor of reading and educational technology. In addition, she held a number of leadership positions including Director of the Office of Educator Preparation. She managed $2.97 million in grant funds, most of which entailed CTWP activity. She also served on the Board of Directors for the National Writing Project and on the Advisory Panel to the National Commission on Writing for America’s Families, Schools, & Colleges. She co-edited English in Texas, the journal of the Texas Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts (TCTELA), and in 2012, she received the Edmund J. Farrell Lifetime Service Award from TCTELA. In 2011 she retired but returned on a part-time basis in 2013.
Dr. Stephens will fully retire at the end of 2025 and will transfer the CTWP Director role to Dr. Lori Czop Assaf.
Dr. Lori Czop Assaf, Professor
Incoming Director
Dr. Assaf is a Professor in Reading Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and currently teaches the Study Abroad Program to South Africa. As a former Reading Specialist for thirteen years, Dr. Assaf has focused most of her research on teacher professional development, writing instruction, and language learning. Currently, she is conducting research on teachers’ generative learning and South African students’ aspirational community wealth while participating in a career focused dream search writing project. Dr. Assaf is committed to international collaboration specifically on culturally mediated writing instruction across the disciplines and professional development for pre-service and in-service teachers.
Dr. Assaf served as CTWP Director in 2009-2016; she will be Director again in 2026.
Co-Directors
Summer Institute Co-Director
| Robert Merkett, Hays CISD |
Professional Development Co-Directors |
Jennifer Hutchinson, Secondary Education, Hays CISD Crystal Kelley, Secondary Education, San Marcos CISD
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| Youth Programs Co-Directors |
Heather Yzaguirre, Hays CISD Diane Osborne, Texas State University
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