Aimee Mapes completed a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture with a cognate in Rhetoric from the University of Iowa and a postdoctoral fellowshiat Duke University’s Thompson Writing Program. With continuing status as Associate Writing Studies Specialist, she currently holds multiple roles as Associate Director of the Writing Program. Her research interests include literacy theory, composition studies, sociocultural theories of learning, situated identity theories, qualitative methodology, and discourse analysis. Her qualitative research examines connections between literacy, identity, and engagement. Once awarded best freshman teacher of the year, Aimee has taught first-year writing, writing in the disciplines, introduction to qualitative methodology, introduction to research methodology in rhetoric and composition, and approaches to teaching writing.