English Professor Zhuang-Zhong “Z.Z.” Lehmberg was born and raised in Guangzhou, China, but says she “grew up” in the United States. She came to this country as a transfer student when she was 20 years old. Lehmberg received a B.A. in business and an M.A. in English from NMU before completing her graduate studies at Wayne State University, where she received her Ph.D. in English. She then returned to Marquette to teach at NMU and to raise a family with her husband, Paul.
Lehmberg has been a full-time faculty member of the Department of English since 2002. She has been teaching a wide range of courses for both the Department of English and the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and International Studies. She was instrumental in creating the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) minor and graduate certificate, and she created and has been teaching Chinese literature, language and culture courses.
In 2006, Lehmberg brought nine students to China as one of the first faculty-led study abroad trips. Spending 24/7 with her students for three weeks in China has deepened her understanding of and connection to NMU students. In her capacity as the director of NMU's Writing Center, Lehmberg often brings students to regional and national conferences in composition and writing center pedagogies. She has also published creative nonfiction essays in both English and Chinese, and is an avid player of racquet sports.