Contact: Portia Agyapong

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A Mississippi State faculty member steeped in literary knowledge is the new head of the university’s Department of English.

Professor Lara Dodds begins her leadership role on July 1 after serving as interim department head since last summer. With primary teaching interests in early modern British literature, early modern women’s writing, and research methods, she said her goal as department head is to further elevate the department’s teaching and research.

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Rick Travis said, “Dodds is well-informed with the scope of the department and has shown exceptional leadership skills as the interim department head. I look forward to working with her for the progress of the department and the college in general. I hold great confidence in her ability to lead in a time where some look on with circumspection at the importance of the humanities.”

Dodds said she wants “to help all members of the department excel in the classroom and continue publishing new research in literature, linguistics, creative writing and writing studies.

“In addition, I hope to continue developing and improving the B.A. and M.A. degree programs in English,” she added. “We are particularly excited about hosting our first English Expo this September. This is a recruiting event for local high school students in Mississippi highlighting the academic and career opportunities available with an English major,” she said.

She received both her master’s and Ph.D. in English with a focus in 17th-century literature from Brown University and her bachelor’s degree in English from DePauw University.

She is the author of “The Literary Invention of Margaret Cavendish” (Duquesne UP, 2013), and the essay “Milton’s Other Worlds,” part of the “Uncircumscribed Minds: Reading Milton Deeply” series. Her work has appeared in journals and publications such as Milton Studies, Early Modern Studies Journal, Restoration, English Literary Renaissance and The John Donne Journal.

Part of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, complete details about the Department of English may be found at www.english.msstate.edu.

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