English Professor Tapped for Associate Dean Position in McAnulty College

The former chair of the English department and director of English graduate studies will step into the role of associate dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts.

Dr. Magali Cornier Michael, who came to the Duquesne in 1992 from the English department of St. Louis University, will assume her new role on Saturday, Aug. 1. Michael, the co-founder of Duquesne’s women’s and gender studies program in 1999, also was director of that program and director of graduate studies in the English department. From 2007-2013, she served as chair of the English department.

“Dr. Michael has both a wealth of experience in the college and a strong commitment to the academic development of our students,” said Dr. James Swindal, dean of the college. “I am very pleased to join the entire college in welcoming her into the position of associate dean.”

Michael’s scholarly expertise is in post-World War II American and British literature as well as women’s and gender studies. She teaches creative writing and literature courses. She has authored three books, most recently Narrative Innovation in 9/11 Fiction (published in January), numerous book chapters and journal articles. A recipient of many grants and fellowships, she also received the Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award from the college and the G. Foster Provost Honorary Lectureship Award.

Chair of five of the nine search committees that she has served upon, Michael has been a mentor for junior faculty, served on tenure and third-year review committees, and is vice president of the University’s Faculty Senate, among other activities. Additionally, Michael has directed a dozen dissertations while teaching graduate and undergraduate courses.

Michael has served as a reviewer for a number of journals and presses, reviewing paper proposals for the 2015 International Narrative Conference, and serving as organizer and chair of the Women’s Caucus for the Modern Languages Session on Feminism, Policy, and Politics in the New Millennium in Washington, D.C.

“This position represents a wonderful opportunity, challenge and privilege,” Michael said. “I look forward to working alongside the dean and faculty in the college to build upon existing strengths so as to attract and cater to the needs of a wide spectrum of undergraduate and graduate students as well as to promote, enhance and further develop the college’s established academic community and reputation.”

Michael replaces Dr. Evan Stoddard, who retired in June.