I am an Assistant Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture in the area of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum. Raised between my Nigerian and Black American cultures, my hybrid identity is reflected in my work that focuses on Black African immigrant youth. Specifically, my research explores the role of language, literacy, including digital literacies, in Black African immigrant youth identity constructions and negotiations across school, community, and digital spaces. I pay particular attention to the intersection of racialization and socialization processes that influence Black African immigrant youth identities.  

I also identify as an artist. I believe that art is a powerful tool for social change, so I infuse my artistic nature into my research, teaching, and writing. My core mission is constant across all three areas — shifting static ideas about identity, culture, and language.

Education

Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin (Language & Literacy Studies)

M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University (Curriculum & Teaching, Literacy Specialist) 

B.A. Michigan State University (Elementary Education)

Select Publications 

(If you'd like to read a copy and/or need access, email me lomogun@uw.edu.)

• Omogun, L. & Skerrett, A. (2021). From Haiti to Detroit Through Black Immigrant Languages and Literacies. Journal of Literacy Research, 53(3), 406-429. Digital Publication/Abstract
• Omogun, L. (2021). Counterstories: Reimagining youth in multiethnic short story anthologies [Review of the book Black enough: Stories of being young & Black in America edited by I. Zoboi. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 64 (5). Digital Publication/Abstract 
• Skerrett, A. & Omogun, L. (2020). When racial, transnational, and immigrant identities and literacies meet: Black youth of Caribbean origin speak. Teachers College Record, 122 (13)
• Wetzel, M. M., Vlach, S. K., Svrcek, N. S., Steinitz, E., Omogun, L., Salmerón, C., ... & Villarreal, D. (2019). Preparing teachers with sociocultural knowledge in literacy: A literature review. Journal of Literacy Research, 51 (2), 138-157. Digital Publication/Abstract
• Omogun, L. (2018). Immigrant student identities in literacy spaces. Texas Education Review, 6 (2), 70-81.

Select Awards & Fellowships

• Outstanding Dissertation Award, Bilingual Education Research SIG, American Educational Research Association (2022)
• Cultivating New Voices among Scholars of Color (CNV), National Council of Teachers of English (2020 – 2022)
• Texas New Scholars Fellowship, Department of Teaching & Curriculum, The University of Texas at Austin (2016 – 2019)

Courses

EDC&I 528: Foundations of Language, Literacy, and Culture 

EDC&I 568: Youth Multiliteracies: Modality, Culture, and Identity

EDTEP 533: Language, Culture, and Power in the Writing Classroom