Dawes Selected for Rhetoric and Writing Chair Position

Dr. Jennifer Dawes has been selected as the next chair of the Department of Rhetoric and Writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, replacing Dr. Joyce Carter, who retired in June after nine years at UA Little Rock.

Dawes comes to UA Little Rock from Wichita Falls, Texas, where she served as chair of the Department of English, Humanities, and Philosophy, as well as a professor of English, at Midwestern State University.

Prior to her tenure as department chair, she was an English professor at Henderson State University, a faculty member in the English/Writing program at Eastern Oregon University, and a faculty member in the English department at Idaho State University, as well as the director of the American Studies Program.

Dawes has experience in student and faculty recruitment, retention, and support. She has served on a number of task forces and committees devoted to promoting student success.

Her research has covered popular culture topics, as well as tourism in the American West. She is currently working on a new publication that explores dark tourism in Texas.

Dawes's pursuit of research, her dedication to student success, and the experience she brings to campus edifies the UA Little Rock community.

"Dr. Dawes joins us having already completed a successful stint as an external chair," said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), where the department is housed. "We are lucky to have her expertise in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing as we continue to modify our composition program to best meet student needs."

Read more about additional leadership changes in the college.