Kyrsten Lund School of Teacher Education and Leadership Graduate Assistant : I am grateful to Utah State University's School of Teacher Education and Leadership for giving me the opportunity to be a graduate research assistant! This position has allowed me to focus on my education while earning work experience at the same time. By the time I graduate, I will have worked closely with multiple amazing mentors, gained experience and insight in the dynamics of research teams, and put my name out into the academic world. This is truly a wonderful opportunity for graduate students. Through Dr. Nicole Pyle's mentorship, I have been able to advance my research skills, orient myself in the world of academia, and begin the journey to publishing an article that will jump start my career. kyrstenelund@gmail.com /teal/doctoral-1/files/lund-kyrsten-cv.pdf Research Interests: Alternative high schools, Reading comprehension for high school students, Motivation in reading, Literacy theoryTeaching Interests: SCED 5100: Motivation and Classroom Management, SCED 5210: Learning Theory, Curriculum, AssessmentConcentration Area: Literacy Education and LeadershipFaculty Mentor(s): Dr. Nicole Pyle, Dr. Cherish Sarmiento