Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison

Gina Zanolini Morrison is a tenured Professor of Global Cultures at Wilkes University with a PhD in Human Development/Instructional Leadership, an MS in Counselor Education, and a BS in Secondary Education/Communication Arts. She holds Pennsylvania teaching certificates in secondary education guidance counseling, secondary education communications (certified to teach English, speech and theatre), and ESL specialist K-12. Her research and practice have focused on diversity in education, including multicultural and global education.

Formerly an ESL teacher, she came to Wilkes in 1996 and since then has taught at all levels of higher education. Her undergraduate courses include First Year Experience courses such as Going Global (preparing students for study abroad) and American Culture & Values (for new international students), in addition to teacher preparation courses on multicultural education, classroom management, teaching culturally and linguistically diverse learners, ESL methods, student teaching seminar and supervision, and inclusive practices. On the graduate level, she has taught courses on intercultural communication, accommodating diverse learners, comparative education, teaching the four ESL skills, leadership, diversity and societal change, introduction to research methods, and qualitative research methods.

After returning from her first sabbatical in Malaysia in 2011, she initiated a highly successful student teaching abroad program to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which ran until 2014. That same year, she was awarded the Carpenter Award for Excellence in Teaching at Wilkes University. The following year, she moved to the newly formed Division of Global Cultures and was promoted to full Professor in 2019. She authored the Global Cultures minor program at Wilkes, which she advises, and created new undergraduate courses in global cultures issues and perspectives, Malaysia’s modernity, and writing for fellowships.

In recent years, she has conducted several research projects with women in Malaysia, Bali, and Borneo on spiritual beliefs and practices. She has also served as a Fulbright Specialist to Malaysia (2018), assisting curricular and faculty development, and India (2022), conducting student and faculty workshops in pluralism. Currently, in addition to teaching, she is the Fulbright Program campus advisor for the U.S. Fulbright Student Program at Wilkes.

• Muharlisiani, L.T., Morrison, G.Z, & Tapsir, S.H. (2024). Women's Transformational Leadership Style and Lecturer Performance. A quantitative study currently under revision.
• Morrison, G. Z., Stasko, K., Low, K. O. & Sutiknyawati Kusuma Dewi, Y. (2023). Sustaining ancient ways in modern Borneo: The role of spiritual beliefs of women academics in nurturing Bornean youth. Borneo Research Bulletin.  [Final draft of the paper accepted 2022; publication imminent.]
• Morrison, G. Z. (2022). Sustaining culture in changing times: Spiritual beliefs and practices among Malaysian working women. International Journal of Gender, Technology and Development. DOI: 10.1080/09718524.2022.2140380. Published online 09 December 2022. 
• Morrison, G. Z., Stasko, K., Sutiknyawati Kusuma Dewi, Y. (2020). Everybody, everywhere, everyday: Working women and spiritual capitalism in modern Bali. International Journal of Innovation & Business Strategy (14)2, 14-29. 
• Morrison, G. Z., Balester, M., Maierean, A., Valkenburg, M. B. (2018). Bringing literature to life: Strategies for supporting Arab and American student success in a First-Year Foundations course. Arab World English Journal for Translation & Literary Studies (2)3, 13-30.
• Morrison, G. Z. (2013). Guidelines for culturally competent ESL teachers. Arab World English Journal, 4(3), 193-203. [Available online at https://awej.org/guidelines-for-culturally-competent-esl-teachers/ external website].
• Morrison, G. Z., Beishline, L. J., Tapsir, S. H., & Idrus, D. (2011). A cross-cultural study on women in undergraduate engineering programs in Malaysia and United States: Perceptions of parental influence on academic choice. Journal of Engineering, Science & Management Education, 4(2), 81-91. [Available online at http://www.nitttrbhopal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274&Itemid=275]. external website
• Hankee, C. S. & Morrison, G. Z. (2010).  Multicultural education and technology education: Independent movements on parallel paths external website. CELT: A Journal of Culture and English Language Teaching, and Literature, 10(2), 177-193.
• Morrison, G. Z.  (2010). Tough issues in the classroom: A lesson on White privilege. Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Journal, 30(2), 30-42.
• (2010). Two separate worlds: Students of color at a predominantly White university. Journal of Black Studies, 40(5), 987-1015. [Previously published online in 2008 at Sage Publications, http://online.sagepub.com external website. Document # 10.1177/0021934708325408.]
• (2007). Rediscovering “roots”: The immersion stage of cultural identity development. International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, 3(1), 85-92.
• (2006). Students of color at a predominantly White university: A phenomenological study. [Dissertation.] Scranton, PA: Marywood University Press. ISBN 0549177566, 9780549177562.
• (2005). Cultural identity development: A model for building successful relationships to support information management.  International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management, 3, 339-353.

• (2013). Rediscovering “roots”: The immersion stage of cultural identity development. In Gebert, F. (Ed.) Sustaining Living Culture. Victoria, AUS: Common Ground Publishers.
• (2010). Cultural identity development: A model for building successful relationships to support information management. In Westover, J. H. (Ed.) Globalization, labor, and the transformation of work: Seeking a competitive advantage in an increasingly global economy. Victoria, AUS: Common Ground Publishers, 197-196. ISBN: 1863356602.

• Morrison, G. Z. (2020). Moving University Students to the Global Stage: A New Curriculum in Global Cultures. 16th International Conference on Industry, Law, Education and Interdisciplinary Studies on 2-4 March 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. ISBN – 978-93-86878-38-0.
• (2013).  American teacher trainees in Malaysia: Preparing both sides for success. Global Summit on Education on 11-12 March 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Paper # 040.
• (2010).  Preparing our students for growth by teaching a framework for change: Cultural identity development. QS Journal of International Education, Journal of the 6th Annual QS_APPLE Conference Proceedings (Peer reviewed journal).  Available online at http://www.qsapple.org.

Asterisk denotes overseas venues.

• Morrison, G. Z. (2023). Social justice workshops in Mumbai: A hearts and minds connection. Roundtable presentation on Fulbright Specialist project in India, Fulbright National Conference, October 2023, Denver, Colorado, USA.
• Overseas venue  ____ (2022). Sustaining culture in changing times: Spirituality among Malaysian working women. Invited lecture to Post-Graduate Students and Faculty of the Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, 27 May 2022. UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• _____ (2022). International Pharmacy Night Lecture. Indigenous knowledge and healing plants and practices of Southeast Asia, April 2022, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA USA.
• Morrison, G. Z., Stasko, K., Ballou, D., Fraser, L. & Kleopoulos, J. (2022). International Data Analysis Project: Bornean Women of Academia. Presentation on 2021 data analysis process and Borneo study findings at the Women & Gender Studies Conference, 5 April 2022. Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• Overseas venue Morrison, G. Z. (2020). Moving University Students to the Global Stage: A New Curriculum in Global Cultures. 16th International Conference on Industry, Law, Education and Interdisciplinary Studies on 2-4 March 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.  Presented paper published in Conference Proceedings.
• Morrison, G. Z. & Stasko, K. (2019). Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday: Spirituality and the Working Women of Bali. Presentation on 2018 research project findings at the Women & Gender Studies Conference, 8 April 2019. King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• Morrison, G. Z. & Stasko, K. (2019). A Cross-Curricular Approach to Research: Balinese Women’s Experiences with Work, Spirituality, and Modernity. Presentation on 2018 research project findings at the Wilkes University Scholarship Symposium, 2 April 2019, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• Overseas venue Morrison, G. Z. (2018). Bringing Literature to Life for First-Year University Students. International Symposium on Teaching, Education & Learning (ISTEL) Conference. Presented paper on behalf of co-authors Balester, M., Maierean, A., and Valkenburg, M.B. 7 July 2018, Seoul, Korea. Also served as session chair.
• Overseas venue ____ (2018). Spirits in the Modern World: Women’s Ways of Knowing. Invited lecture at University of Malaysia Sabah, Borneo Heritage Research Unit, Faculty of Humanities, Arts & Heritage (FHAH), Majlis Professor Universiti, Chapter UMS, May 2018, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
• Overseas venue ____ (2018). Jumpstart Your Career: Write to Publish! Invited lecture for faculty and students at City University, 28 March 2018, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
• _____ (2018). Intercultural Communication or Oops! Did I Just Say That? Invited presentation for Diversity Conference October 2017 at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• _____ (2017). Spirits in the Modern World: Malaysian Women’s Ways of Knowing. Preliminary research findings presented at the Wilkes University Scholarship Symposium, March 2017, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA. 
• Overseas venue ____ (2016). Spiritual Beliefs of Career Women in Malaysia. Research proposal presented at the Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Conference, 1-3 March 2016, at Bangkok, Thailand.
• Overseas venue ____ (2014). Going Global: A First-Year College Experience. Paper presented at the World Conference on the Integration of Knowledge on 15 September 2014 at Bandung, East Java, Indonesia. Also served as session chair.
• Overseas venue Morrison, G. Z., Bast, A., English, C., Gill, R., Sorber, R., Trusty, P., Yamrus, M. (2014). Getting ready for America: International education exchange information. Invited lecture presented to potential international students at City University College on 3 March 2014 at Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. 
• Overseas venue Morrison, G. Z., Fonjweng, G., Fedor, M., Gallaher, R., Goldberg, T., LeClair, F., McGurk, K., & Shedden, K. (2012). Fostering Global Connections: An American University’s Student Teaching Program in Malaysia. PBL-in-Action presentation at the 3rd Annual Problem Based Learning Symposium on 8 March 2012 at Singapore.
• Overseas venue Morrison, G. Z. (2011). The boundaries of the self, viewed through multicultural lenses. Paper presented at OARIC2011 (Office of Academic Resources International Conference), Prince of Songkla University, on 25 April 2011 at Phuket, Thailand.
• Overseas venue ____ (2011). Adjusting to life in America. Invited lecture to study abroad scholarship recipients of UNITEN Universiti Tenaga, on 15 February 2011 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• _____ (2011). Meeting the challenge. Invited lecture in a series presented at the research methodology seminar, Perdana School of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia International Campus, on 8 February 2011 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Morrison, G. Z., Beishline, L. J., Tapsir, S. H., & Idrus, D. (2010). Malaysian and American women in undergraduate engineering in Malaysia and US: Differences in perceptions of parental influence on academic choice. Paper presented at the Second Congress of Asian Association of Women’s Studies 2010 on 11 December 2010 at Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia.
• Morrison, G. Z. (2010). Tips for being a culturally competent ESL teacher.  Paper presented at the Third Malaysia International Conference on Academic Strategies in English Language Teaching on 16 December 2010 at Shah Alam, Malaysia. [This paper was later developed into a publication, 2013].
• (2010). Preparing our students for growth by teaching a framework for change: Cultural identity development. Paper presented at the 6th QS_APPLE Conference on Quality Standards Asia Pacific Professional Leaders in Education on 18 November 2010, Singapore.

• Morrison, G. Z. (2016-18). Spiritual beliefs of career women in Malaysia, Bali, and Borneo. A series of three narrative inquiry research projects funded by Wilkes University faculty grants [$11,000] in collaboration with several Malaysian and Indonesian institutions of higher education.
• Raji, F., Hassan, N. H., Morrison, G. Z., Yusof, N. A., Baqutayan, S. M., Othman, N., Mahdzir, A. M & Idrus, D. (2011). Leadership styles of Malay women educational policy-makers. Research University Grant Scheme submitted 31 January 2011 to RAKE: the Research Alliance Knowledge Economy and Research Management Center, UTM. RM 40,000 or $13,500 USD. [Approved; data collection completed.]
• Hooi, L. W., Morrison, G. Z., Hassan, N. A., & Amin, M. (2011).  Publishing in English: Inhibiting factors and winning strategies.  Fundamental Research Grant Scheme submitted 20 April 2011 to the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). RM 120,000 or $40,000 USD.  [Not approved.]
• Alzubaidi, K. O., Richards, C. K., Attan, A., Idrus, D., Morrison, G. Z., Manan, A. A., Adlan, N. M., & Hashim, F. H. (2011). Re-theorising academic English: Intensive academic English courses for postgraduate researchers in support of Malaysian policy initiatives. UTM research project submitted for approval December 2010.  RM 40,000 or $ 13,500 USD.
• Lierse, S., Morrison, G. Z., & Richards, C. K. (2011). Harnessing the mutual benefits of academic internationalization: Case studies across two government universities in Malaysia.  Research project conducted jointly with UTM, submitted for pre-approval to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak, January 2011. Revised and resubmitted May 2011.  RM 10,000 or $3,500 USD. [Assisted with writing the project but left Malaysia before data collection.]
• Tapsir, S.H., Omar, R., & Morrison, G. Z. (2011). Malaysia as a hub of international education: Enhancing the role of private higher education institutions. A proposal approved with revisions by the World Bank. Submitted 8 November 2010. Approved with revisions 20 December 2010. [Not approved.]
• Morrison, G. Z., Beishline, L. J., Idrus, D., & Tapsir, S. H. (2010). A cross-cultural study on women in undergraduate engineering in Malaysia and US: Perceptions of parental influence on academic choice. Narrative inquiry study conducted in Malaysia July 2009 as a replication of a 2008 study conducted in Northeast US.
• Wilkes University (2009).National Science Foundation Grant for underrepresented students. Assisted the Biology Department faculty by providing literature review and contacts with the Latino community leaders – Wilkes University, March 2009.
• Morrison, G. Z. (2006). Students of color at a predominantly White university campus: A phenomenological study. This qualitative study with university students in Northeast PA, USA, as part of a dissertation was completed in Spring 2006.  The dissertation was defended on 27 September 2006 at Marywood University, Scranton, PA, USA.

• (2022). Fulbright Specialist to India, Project #005126. Promoting Pluralism on Campus. Faculty and Student Development with Dr BMN College, Mumbai, Maharastra, India.
• (2018). Fulbright Specialist to Malaysia, Project #7312. Creating a Culture of Research and Writing, Interactive Teaching. Faculty Development with City University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
• Morrison, G. Z. (2011-14).  Interactive Teaching Techniques, Classroom Management I & II, Effective Lesson Planning, Students with Special Needs. Yearly workshops conducted with the faculty of Sri Utama Schools, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.   Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
• (2011).  Commitment Conference/Faculty Retreat. Workshop conducted with the faculty of Sri Utama Schools, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 9 and 10 April as part of a faculty retreat at Shenzhen, China.
• (2011). Re-Committing to Excellence. Workshop conducted with the faculty of Sri Utama Schools, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 3 April 2011 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• (2011). Creating inclusive curricula: Utilizing process-oriented pedagogy to enhance engineering education. Workshop presented at IETEC, the International Engineering and Technology Education Conference on 16 January 2011 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• (2009). Classroom management. Faculty development workshop, 8 September 2009 at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• (2009). How to nurture academic achievers. Workshop for parents of TRIO/Upward Bound students, 28 February 2009 at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
• (2007). Working with English Language Learners. Faculty development in-service training on Latino student issues for Hazleton Area School District, January 2007, Hazleton, PA, USA.
• (2005). Taking off the blindfold. Panel discussion on White privilege, Office of Multicultural Affairs, April 2005, at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• (2003). Diversity Training for Pharmacy Faculty. Faculty development workshops on diversity and cultural differences, July 2003, at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• (2003). Diversity Training for Health Care Professionals. Series of diversity workshops for the School of Pharmacy students, February 2003, at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• (2001). Diversity Training Session for Student Affairs Professionals. In-service for student affairs staff, May 2001, at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
• Zanolini, G. (1993). Cross-cultural issues in foster care. Presentation to KidsPeace Northeast PA caseworkers, recruiters, and supervisors, Scranton, PA, USA.
• United States Department of Labor (1992). Training for Job Corps Teachers of ESL. Created a national ESL curriculum for Job Corps as part of a task force on ESL under the supervision of the US Department of Labor National Office; conducted training for Job Corps ESL teachers throughout the nation as part of two Basic Education Programs Training, one in Washington, DC, and one in San Francisco, 1992.
• Zanolini, G. (1991). Successful Integration of the ESL Students into the Mainstream Job Corps Program.  Department of Labor Region III Interagency ESL and Cross-Cultural Workshop, Philadelphia, 1991.

• Pennsylvania Educational Leadership (PEL) Journal reviewer, January 2014.
• Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Advisory Board, February 2011 until present. Refereed e-Journal #ISSN: 2229-9327, found at http://www.awej.org external website.
• International Journal of Innovation and Business Strategies Board of Editors since 2011 This journal, found at http://www.ibs.utm.my/ijibs/index.php/ijibs external website, is housed in the International Business School of the UTM International Campus, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Efforts are underway to index it in Scopus and Thompson Reuters.
• Teaching Learners of English in Mainstream Classrooms (Levine & McCloskey, 2010)
• Reviewed textbook for Pearson/Allyn & Bacon—May 2010 Roundtable Group Provided expert testimony in a case involving an ESL teacher’s immigration  – October 2008
• Language and Literacy for English Learners Reviewed textbook for Allyn & Bacon - Sept. 2006
• Methods for Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners Reviewed this textbook for Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall - June 2006
• Comprehensive School Reform Program On-Site Review – May 2006 Served with on-site review team to evaluate compliance with district’s $1,000,000 grant
• Pennsylvania Reads, the journal of the Pennsylvania Reading Association – May 2005 External reviewer for article on multicultural themes in literature