Current Students
Linguistics Society
The Linguistics Society is an exciting venue that brings together students from a variety of programs to talk linguistics in a relaxed atmosphere. Events include movies, debates, day trips, guest speakers, and more! The Club is open to minors and non-minors alike.
You can follow the Linguistics Society's activities on RamConnect. For questions about the Linguistics Society (linguistics club), contact the advisor, Dr. Josh Raclaw.
Student Spotlight
Some testimonials from current and past students:
Victoria Ochanda (Communication Sciences and Disorders BA, Linguistics Minor, class of 2026)
As a student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, minoring in Linguistics has been a great addition to my educational experience at West Chester University. I have found a lot of meaningful overlap between the classes for my major and this minor, which has enhanced my understanding of various aspects of language including morphology, phonology, and sociolinguistics. The impact of this minor has also extended beyond the classroom. As a junior, I was fortunate to attend an annual conference for the Linguistic Society of America. At this conference I had the opportunity to interact with various professionals and gain insight into emerging research in this field. I am confident that the knowledge I have acquired through the coursework and experiences related to this minor will serve me well in my future career as a speech-language pathologist.
Rachel Beatty (Spanish BA, Linguistics Minor, class of 2025)
The WCU Linguistics program helped me build the foundation that led me to pursue my PhD in Spanish Linguistics in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Georgetown University. I had been passionate about language learning for around 7 years by the time I took my first Linguistics class at WCU after studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and it was that class that inspired me to declare a minor in Linguistics. It was also the WCU Linguistics program that gave me the opportunity to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of the LSA (Linguistics Society of America) in Philadelphia. I was also able to participate in the annual Linguistics Conference at WCU where I presented on my recent investigation on Ozempic neologism from class. I feel overwhelmingly grateful for the WCU faculty that supported me along every step of the way. I look forward to my studies and enjoy being around fellow nerdy linguists like myself.
Dan Shanahan (Linguistics BA, Anthropology BA, Arabic Minor, class of 2025)
The linguistics program has given me a unique understanding of the often subconscious intricacies of language and how language relates to our identities and communities. In the process, I acquired critical thinking skills I can use wherever I come to find myself, educationally or occupationally. Not to mention the fact that the linguistics program has given me an intensified appreciation for the value of diverse perspectives in collaborative settings; and has made me a better collaborator myself. The study of linguistics has doubtless brought me towards one of my educational goals of gaining a more holistic understanding of the world and my place in it, and I know I will draw on what I’ve learned in my future endeavors.
Dr. Emily Rooney (Spanish BA, Linguistics Minor, class of 2015)
Minoring in Linguistics was one of the most impactful academic decisions I made. The program sharpened my analytical thinking and deepened my understanding of language and culture, which are skills that have proven invaluable throughout my career. The faculty were incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in their students' success. Their mentorship and enthusiasm made the program not only academically enriching, but personally inspiring. After completing my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to travel the world while working overseas in both sales and education. Now, I am working as the Director of Academic Programs & Services at CEA CAPA Education Abroad. The foundation I built in the Linguistics Program at WCU continues to inform my work every day, especially in cross-cultural communication and curriculum development.