Cooley has served in several leadership roles, first as associate head and then as head of the Department of Languages and Literatures (which includes English, TESOL, Spanish, and French); then, as an associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences. Finally, since January 2024, she has served as interim dean of the college.
Her teaching has covered a range of topics, including Spanish peninsular and Latin American literature and culture, immigration, film, translation, and language classes. She has published a book, Courtiers, Courtesans, Pícaros, and Prostitutes: The Art and Artifice of Selling One’s Self in Golden Age Spain (2002), along with several articles. She also co-authored and directed the bilingual play Carne Viva: Stories of Madres and Monarchs in Postville (2011) based on testimonials collected during three years of ethnographic research with Guatemalan workers in Postville, Iowa.
The search committee was impressed by Cooley’s administrative experience, approach to community-engaged learning, and deep commitments to the liberal arts tradition. "I’m delighted Dr. Cooley has accepted this new role as dean of the College," Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen says. She is an accomplished teacher and scholar and her administrative experience will enable her to make timely and significant contributions to the implementation of the University’s strategic plan.”
I would like to thank the members of the search committee, Associate Professor Emmanuel Asiedu-Acquah, Associate Professor Lucia Garcia-Santana, Professor Jennifer Matthews, Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid Alan Ramirez, Professor Lauryl Tucker, Professor Kelly Whitmer, and Professor Kirk Zigler, for their diligence and good humor during the search process.
I look forward to welcoming Jennifer Cooley to Sewanee this summer. I also want to thank Betsy Sandlin for her exceptional work as interim dean. We will announce plans to celebrate her time in the dean’s office in the coming months.
Sincerely,
