Dr. Evert Villarreal holds a Ph.D. in 19th and 20th century American literature and American poetry from Texas A&M University. He also holds an M.A. and a B.A. in English (with highest distinction in honors studies) from The University of Texas-Pan American. He is a lecturer at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he teaches courses in writing, rhetoric, cultural studies, American literature, American poetry, and world literature. Dr. Villarreal has done extensive research on the life and work of the notable American poet Carl Sandburg and the influential novelist Jack Kerouac. He has appeared on an episode of PBS's American Masters series titled The Day Carl Sandburg Died. He is the author of Jack Kerouac: Tracing the Theme of Epiphany and Carl Sandburg's America: A Study of His Works, His Politics, and His New Imagination.