Faculty Stories

Inaugural Endowed Professor Teaches How to Connect Writing With Culture

November 15, 2022

As the inaugural Karen L. Gillmor Ph.D. Endowed Professor in Professional and Public Writing at Michigan State University, Kristin Arola, an innovative scholar and researcher, is not only teaching students persuasive and effective writing skills she also is showing them how to connect and make sense of their culture through their writing. “To have been selected to serve in this…

Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories

Professor Brings Black Religion and Spirituality Expertise to Religious Studies Department

October 10, 2022

Associate Professor Tamura Lomax is going back to her roots to the discipline that first inspired her scholarly work. In January 2023, she will begin teaching classes as a faculty member of Michigan State University’s Department of Religious Studies. A scholar, author, and activist, Lomax never left Religious Studies, it’s always been an important part of her life, but now…

Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

Faculty Voice: Understanding Identity in Learning

September 30, 2022

In this Faculty Voice, Ellen McCallum, a Professor in the Department of English and Faculty Fellow at the Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen), shares how the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and Sexuality Studies program at MSU offers an opportunity to gain a broader historical and social context for understanding personal and collective identities. As Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of…

A series of six headshots arranged in rows of three by three.

Faculty / Faculty Stories / News / Performance

College of Arts & Letters Faculty Honored at 2022 Investiture

September 29, 2022

The Michigan State University community gathered at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on Sept. 14 for the investiture of the 2022 class of endowed chairs, endowed professors, and MSU Foundation professors. The ceremony was a celebration of their accomplishments and a celebration of the philanthropic support that makes these esteemed positions possible. Dr. Kristen Renn, newly named Mildred B.…

Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News / Performance / Production

Theatre Professor Serves as Assistant Fight Director for Broadway Production

June 15, 2022

Alexis Black is always up for a good fight. And since February 2022, the Assistant Professor of Acting and Movement at Michigan State University has been choreographing stage combat for the Tony Award-nominated production of Macbeth, currently on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga. Working alongside her long-time mentor David Leong, Black is the Assistant Fight Director for the production, which runs…

Faculty Stories / News

MSU Faculty Member Shares How Global Context and History Can Help Us Understand Other Cultures More Fully

May 31, 2022

In this Faculty Voice, Catherine Ryu, Associate Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University, shares how Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month is important to recognize and celebrate, but also the need to go beyond public awareness. Ryu says concerted and sustained efforts are needed to create a more inclusive culture for all. At MSU, Ryu also serves as Director of the…

Faculty Stories / News

MSU Assistant Professor Shares How Learning a Language Can Help Students Experience Diverse Perspectives

May 24, 2022

In this Faculty Voice, Rajiv Ranjan, an Assistant Professor of Hindi-Urdu in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University, talks about some of the misperceptions and nuances related to South Asian languages and culture. Ranjan also reflects on why Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month in May is important to recognize and celebrate. At MSU ,…

Faculty / Faculty Stories / International Affairs, Law, and Government / Research / Scholarship

WRAC Professor Wins CCCC Technical and Scientific Communication Award

March 21, 2022

Steven Fraiberg, Associate Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures at Michigan State University, received a 2022 Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) Technical and Scientific Communication Award for the Best Article Reporting Qualitative or Quantitative Research in Technical or Scientific Communication. Fraiberg’s article, “Unsettling Start-Up Ecosystems: Geographies, Mobilities, and Transnational Literacies in the Palestinian Start-Up…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

The Cube Wins Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant to Fund Three Projects

March 15, 2022

The Cube, which is housed in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures (WRAC) and offers publication resources for the Michigan State University campus community and beyond, has won a 2021-2022 Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant (CEIG) to support three of its projects. CEIG funding is awarded to projects that aim to create a more inclusive educational and work environment for all. The Cube…

Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News / Programs / Staff

Kaveh Askari Begins Tenure as Director of Film Studies

November 2, 2021

Part of Michigan State University’s Film Studies Program core faculty for five years, Kaveh Askari is now the director of the program. He began his tenure as Film Studies Director in August 2021.