Eleanor Petrone

Eleanor Petrone is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Western Carolina University, where she directs the undergraduate TESOL program. She teaches courses focusing on second language acquisition, language policies, and the intersections of immigration and education. Her research examines the experiences of immigrant populations, particularly Mexican returnees in the context of U.S. deportation policies.

Education:

• PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• MA, Columbia University, Columbia College
• BA, Bard College

Before her current role, Dr. Petrone taught high school social studies to recent immigrants in New York City public schools and served as an ESL teacher and program coordinator in North Carolina public schools. Her work bridges classroom practice, policy analysis, and community engagement.

Her current research project involves a qualitative study on Mexican returnees' educational and social experiences, reflecting her commitment to understanding migration's sociocultural impacts.