Email: maria [DOT] gouskova [AT] nyu [DOT] edu
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PhD, Linguistics
University of Massachusetts-Ameherst (2003)
Dissertation: Deriving economy: Syncope in Optimality Theory

BA, Linguistics and German Language & Literature
Eastern Michigan University (1998)

Biography

Maria Gouskova states that the main reason she decided to attend Eastern Michigan University in 1994 was simple: the price was right. However, Maria’s decision to attend EMU not only gave her a quality education, but it also led her on a path of discovery straight into the Linguistics program. Once there, she discovered a wealth of opportunity unique to most undergraduates in larger colleges. She was so intrigued by the program that she declared Linguistics as her major 1-½ months into her first semester of college. Not only were faculty readily available and encouraging, but undergraduate students were able to present papers in a variety of conferences. Maria fondly recalls, “We got to travel to conferences and workshops, including the Linguistic Society of America conference, where Laura Sabadini [a fellow linguistics major] and I presented the work we were doing with [EMU Linguistics faculty member] Beverley Goodman.  It was very glamorous.”

Maria has a bit of advice for students wishing to enter the Linguistics program at EMU. To summarize, self-motivation is a plus. According to her, “It is an excellent program, but succeeding at EMU requires a lot of initiative on the part of the student. You can get an excellent education at EMU, but you have to work for it.” She also recommends that linguistics students combine their degree with an applied discipline to create a broader level of experience.

Maria has put her acquired skills to good use. After receiving a double major in Linguistics and German Language/Literature, she attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where she completed a PhD in Linguistics. She now works at New York University as an Assistant Professor.

-- Venus Gregory