USC.edu

Cory Nelson

Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing
Cory Nelson
Pronouns She / Her / Hers Email corynels@usc.edu

Biography

Cory Elizabeth Nelson joined the faculty of USC’s writing program in 2014. As an undergraduate, she studied theater and English. Upon graduating, she worked in Boston’s nonprofit theater community for six years, before returning to graduate school.  Her doctoral research examined the aesthetics of post-identity politics in American theater, using newly available archives from the Public Theater and Mark Taper Forum. At USC, she teaches writing and argumentation to undergraduates and leads a writing workshop for advanced graduate students.  She also directed the Writing Center from 2017 – 2023, overseeing its transition from a fully in-person service to a hybrid operation.  Currently, her research focuses on graduate-level pedagogy, with an emphasis on the dissertation as an evolving genre.

Education

  • Ph.D. English and American Literature, Brandeis University, 5/2013
  • B.A. Theater, Marlboro College, 5/2000
    • Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow, Tulane University, 2013-2014

  • Research, Teaching, Practice, and Clinical Appointments

    • Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, University of Southern California, 2017-

    PostDoctoral Appointments

    • Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow, Tulane University, 2013 – 2014

    Visiting and Temporary Appointments

    • Director of Writing Center, University of Southern California, 07/01/2017-06/30/2023
    • WRIT 650: Dissertation-Writing Workshop, The Writing Program, 03/01/2022 –