Dr. Leigh Ann Wilson

Professor of History and Communications
Arts and Sciences
History, Liberal Studies, English

Dr. Wilson is currently Professor of History & Communications at University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University in Irvine, California.) Her research interests focus on US History, Latin American History, immigration, education, media law, and the history of communications. For almost 25 years, she has worked with people at every stage of their lifelong learning journeys, having taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to both children and adults, and taught GED training for ESL students and remedial and basic education for adults seeking to enter higher education classes. She has taught community college and university classes in History, Communications, Liberal Studies, English, and Humanities to adults since 1998. She began teaching online credit classes in 2003 and has been teaching fully online since 2013. She contributed content to UMass Global's CBE (Competency-Based Education) program in 2014. She has developed and oversees all of UMass Global’s History classes, and some Communications and Humanities classes. On the administrative side, Dr. Wilson served as the Deputy to the Associate Dean of Curriculum and Assurance of Learning during the 2016-2017 academic year. She then served as the Curriculum Coordinator for the School of Arts and Sciences during the 2017-2018 academic year. She was promoted to Associate Professor in the fall of 2018.

Education History

2011 - Ph.D., United States History, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

  • Dissertation:“Fighting Two Devils: Eleuterio Escobar and the School Improvement League's Battle for Mexican and Mexican-American Students” Equality in the San Antonio, Texas Public Schools from 1934 to 1958.

1995 - Master of Science, Journalism & Mass Communications, Kansas State University

  • Thesis: “Media Coverage of Juvenile Crime in Kansas”

1993 - B.A., Print Journalism, University of North Alabama, Florence, AL

  • Areas of Concentration: Print Journalism, Business Administration

Scholarly Activities

Presentations

2017

  • Wilson, L. & Borrego, M. Using Signature Assignments and Rubrics in Assessing Institutional Learning Outcomes and Student Learning
  • 19th International Conference on Higher Education (ICHE)

 

Committees

2017-2018

  • Immigration and Ethnic History Society's Pozetta Dissertation Award Committee
  • H-Net Teaching Committee
 

Professional Experience

2012-PRESENT: Professor of History and Communications, University of Massachusetts Global, Irvine, CA

  • Taught various HISU and LBSU courses; mentored adjunct faculty.

2003-2011: Graduate Teaching Assistant; Adjunct Faculty, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

  • Taught a variety of undergraduate History courses both online and face-to-face while working on Ph.D. degree in Department of History.
 
 

Education History

2011 - Ph.D., United States History, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

  • Dissertation:“Fighting Two Devils: Eleuterio Escobar and the School Improvement League's Battle for Mexican and Mexican-American Students” Equality in the San Antonio, Texas Public Schools from 1934 to 1958.

1995 - Master of Science, Journalism & Mass Communications, Kansas State University

  • Thesis: “Media Coverage of Juvenile Crime in Kansas”

1993 - B.A., Print Journalism, University of North Alabama, Florence, AL

  • Areas of Concentration: Print Journalism, Business Administration

Scholarly Activities

Presentations

2017

  • Wilson, L. & Borrego, M. Using Signature Assignments and Rubrics in Assessing Institutional Learning Outcomes and Student Learning
  • 19th International Conference on Higher Education (ICHE)

 

Committees

2017-2018

  • Immigration and Ethnic History Society's Pozetta Dissertation Award Committee
  • H-Net Teaching Committee
 

Professional Experience

2012-PRESENT: Professor of History and Communications, University of Massachusetts Global, Irvine, CA

  • Taught various HISU and LBSU courses; mentored adjunct faculty.

2003-2011: Graduate Teaching Assistant; Adjunct Faculty, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

  • Taught a variety of undergraduate History courses both online and face-to-face while working on Ph.D. degree in Department of History.
 
 

Related Programs

Marketing team brainstorming at the board
Communications

Communications & Media, BA

Develop an interdisciplinary foundation that will launch your career in social media, public relations, journalism, digital marketing, product and project management, media relations, or communication strategy.
Jun 23, 2025
Elementary teacher in classroom with students
Teaching & Education

Liberal Studies (Multiple Subject Teaching), BA

Whether you're laying the groundwork to earn a teaching credential for elementary education in California, or you simply seek a bachelor's degree with a broad liberal studies foundation, the UMass Global Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is the perfect choice.
Jun 23, 2025