3 minute read
Alec Beckham and Chris Morphew
Alec Beckham, B.A. Linguistics ’12, M.A. Linguistics ‘14
Classroom 2 Community, Assistant Director of Learning Strategies
Chris Morphew, B.A. Linguistics ’12, M.A. Linguistics ‘14 with TESOL certificate
Classroom 2 Community, Associate Director of Operations
Alec Beckham and Chris Morphew embarked on an extraordinary journey, one where linguistic education and career paths converged to create a narrative of transformation. They both began at the University of North Texas (UNT), where they proudly earned both bachelor’s degrees in 2012 and master’s degrees in 2014 in Linguistics, a foundation that would shape their professions.
Alec and Chris have crafted a mosaic of diverse experiences and collaborative endeavors. Alec’s journey led to moving with their wife to Japan to teach at Kansai Gaidai University. While there, they immersed in the world of language learners that offered profound insights, especially through the eyes of immigrants. Chris, equally driven, attributes his linguistics education to the courage to explore the world, leading to transformative experiences in Italy and Africa. Chris credits his wife for her willingness to take a leap of faith with every job change.
At UNT, Alec fondly remembers the influence of Dr. Nancy Caplow, their undergraduate linguistics professor, whose career transitioned from geology to linguistics, inspiring Alec’s pursuit of their passion. Later, Alec’s graduate studies, particularly the field methods class with Dr. Montler, analyzed the Indonesian language, Javanese, with a visiting scholar, which solidified their linguistic journey. This academic foundation coupled with extensive teaching experience paved the way for Alec’s current work.
Chris, too, treasures the mentorship of UNT professors like Dr. Montler, Dr. Munshi, and Dr. Cukor-Avila. He believes that their courses sharpened his critical thinking skills, introduced him to field methods, morphology, and language analysis, which offered a comprehensive perspective on linguistics.
Both Alec and Chris share a profound appreciation for the wisdom of emeritus professor Dr. Haj Ross. Dr. Ross, they attest, encouraged students to embrace curiosity and approach life with an open heart. For Chris, the indelible lessons from Dr. Ross instilled a deep love for language and the courage to take risks, shaping not only his mindset but also inspiring open-mindedness, passion pursuit, and a fresh perspective on the world.
Today, Alec and Chris are colleagues at Classroom 2 Community (C2C), formerly known as the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. C2C stands as a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, empowerment, and equity. Their mission centers around adult education, with a strong emphasis on ESL and GED preparation. However, their recent expansion includes college preparatory classes, computer literacy programs, and an entrepreneurship initiative. Notably, Alec, now the Assistant Director of Learning Strategies, introduced an IT Fundamentals course aimed at enhancing career prospects for marginalized communities.
Chris serves as the Associate Director of Operations at C2C, responsible for coordinating diverse programs, from ESL and GED to Digital Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Citizenship, and contract classes. His role also involves developing grant and foundation applications at various government levels.
Their shared mission at C2C is a testament to their commitment to education, diversity, and inclusion. Alec and Chris continue to champion the transformative power of education, bridging gaps, and fostering a more equitable society. Their remarkable journey stands as a testament to the enduring impact of the linguistics field, offering a glimpse of the limitless possibilities it unlocks.
Read more UNT College of Information 15th Anniversary stories: https://ci.unt.edu/15-years
