Dr. Barbara Griffin Named as Associate Provost

Dr. Barbara L. J. Griffin has been appointed to the position of Associate Provost in the Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Prior to being appointed Associate Provost, Dr. Griffin was an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University. In accepting her new appointment, Dr. Griffin observed that she “feels honored to have the opportunity to serve the University in a different though not entirely new capacity. As Associate Dean for the last several years, I have been privileged to work with chairs, faculty, staff and students in resolving pressing issues facing the Humanities Division, and I look forward to being able to build further upon my experience in higher education administration.”

A scholar, researcher, and administrator, Dr. Griffin holds a faculty appointment in the Department of English, has taught African American Literature and has served on several Masters and Ph.D. Committees. She has published a variety of articles and reviews that have appeared in such publications as the Afro-American Autobiographical Series; African-American Authors, 1745-1945; Encyclopedia of American Literature; Notable Black American Women II; African-American Autobiographers; CLA: Journal of the College Language Association; MELUS: A Journal of the Multi-Ethnic Literary Society; The Black Scholar; MAWA Review, Journal of the Middle-Atlantic Writers Association; and the CEA Magazine: Journal of the College English Association. Recently, she has received funding for the completion of a book on author Richard Wright, entitled Richard Wright and the Black Community.

From 1997 to 2001, she served as Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of English as well as Acting Chair of the Department from 2001 - 2002. She has served on several Masters and Ph.D. committees. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Griffin served as chairman of the Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure Committee of the Graduate School and is currently a member of the Brazilian Exchange Committee. Although she was serving as Associate Dean, she continued to be engaged in her field.

Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Alvin Thornton, welcomed Dr. Griffin to her new role, noting that as Associate Dean “she maintained a high level of scholarship and professionalism,” and indicating his confidence that “she will be an effective member of the Provost’s Office team.”