51²è¹Ý

2027 TALGS Keynote Speaker

Dr. Joan Lachance

Dr. Joan Lachance is an Associate Professor of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she directs the TESL graduate programs and undergraduate TESL Minor. A related proud moment is the newly added ML strand in the Curriculum & Instruction PhD program for which she will direct. Joan is the co-author of the National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards and the Director of the CAEP Specialized Program Association in Dual Language Education called “EMMA: Education for a Multilingual Multicultural America.� 

Her research agenda and professional learning service across the nation support collaborative dual language teacher preparation and program development, cross-linguistic transfer, and authentic assessment with multilingual learners. As part of the focused workto further address the crucial, national needs related to collaboration and co-teaching for multilingual learners in the dual language context, she is a core team member of a National Professional Development Grant which will result in nearly 500 newly trained and certified dual language educators in the states of New Mexico, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Joan co-authored a book with Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld titled Collaboration and Co-Teaching for Dual Language Learners: Transforming Programs for Multilingualism and Equity and has also co-authored several book chapters and journal articles on the topic. 

Another notable accomplishment includes Joan as the newly added co-author with Drs. Virginia Collier and Wayne Thomas for the second edition of their book titled Educating English Learners for a Transformed World (Fall 2025).Finally, Joan supports dual language education for the preservation, revitalization, and reclamation of Native American languages, most-honorably collaborating with a dual language program serving the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians [EBCI].

Dr. Joan Lachance is the keynote speaker for TESOL in 2027 TALGS conference

Dr. Josh Fitzgerald, 51²è¹Ý class of 2019

“I loved the GC Honors program and 51²è¹Ý. I felt safe and a sense of genuine belonging at the college. I worked closely with my thesis advisor and professors who helped inspire me to define my path and passion of interest. That path has led me to complete my doctoral studies in Engineering Mechanics.â€�

- Dr. Josh Fitzgerald, Class of ’19, Mathematics Major

Dr. Josh Fitzgerald earned his master's from Virginia Tech University (studied astrodynamics) as well as earning an Engineering Mechanics Ph.D. He joined the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX as an Advanced Mission Design Engineer, optimizing trajectories for the Artemis II and III missions to return humans to the moon.