Collegiate Affiliation
Dean,
CLA

GerShun Avilez is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, professor of English, and ​the Russell M. and Elizabeth M. Bennett Chair in the Liberal Arts. 

Dean Avilez earned his PhD in English from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an award-winning teacher and writer, known for his work on literature, art, and identity. He has written two books—Radical Aesthetics and Modern Black Nationalism and Black Queer Freedom—and is also a co-editor of The Norton Anthology of American Literature: 1945-Present, a collection of influential writings studied in classrooms across the country. His new book about the relationship between art and healthcare is forthcoming.

Dean Avilez is currently leading the college through Compass 2030, his strategic plan and vision for the next five years. This plan focuses on four priorities – Student Success, Innovation & Research, Impact & Public Engagement, and Healthy Workplace – that reflect his commitment to strengthening the liberal arts and positioning CLA as a national leader in higher education.

Educational Background
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Educational Background

  • Ph.D.: English; Graduate Certificate, Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A.: English, Temple University
  • B.A.: English, Hendrix College