Angela Ferguson became the Associate Director of Student Support and first program manager for the newly established English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program in the Academic Success Center in September 2024. In this role, she oversees the tutoring program provided by the Academic Success Center, supports students whose first language is not English in their transition to Samford University, and meets regularly with Samford students to provide academic coaching. She also regularly requests feedback from faculty in progress report campaigns to identify and support students who might be struggling academically.
Together with Director Bridget Rose, who directs both the Academic Success Center and the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations, Dr. Ferguson serves on the University’s Care Team to support students academically. Under the supervision of Director Rose she also coordinates the Foundations program, which includes a first-year experience course, a second-semester vocational exploration course, a sophomore seminar, and a peer mentoring course for upperclassmen.
The English for Academic Purposes program was developed in collaboration with SamfordGlobal in Summer 2024. SamfordGlobal were the recipients of an innovation grant from the university’s Provost Office, which allowed the creation and development of a bridge program for foreign students. This aligns with the university’s strategic plan to increase the number of international students pursuing degrees at Samford University.
The decision was made to collaborate with the Academic Success Center for the implementation of the EAP program. Dr. Ferguson works closely with her partners in the SamfordGlobal office to support students at Samford whose first language is not English. This can include providing academic coaching, as she would for any student, teaching courses and workshops to help students continue to develop their facility with the English language, and collaborating with faculty to provide testing modifications, such as extended time, and other supports as deemed necessary based on a student’s proficiency in English.
Dr. Ferguson has worked at Samford University since 2004, teaching German-language and Core Texts courses and serving in administrative positions such as Director of International Education (2012-2016) and Associate Director of Student Support (since 2024). Her most recent research collaboration is on a book about Confessing Church pastor Fritz Onnasch (1911-1945) together with Dr. Paul House, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Beeson Divinity School, which is due to be published in 2026 by Baylor University Press. Dr. Ferguson grew up in Germany and holds degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi (BA) and the University of Texas (MA and PhD).
