Laura Severin Named Head, Department of English

NC State’s Department of English will welcome Laura Severin as head, effective January 1, 2018.

Severin has served NC State for 33 years as a faculty member and administrator. She teaches 20th and 21st century British literature and researches multimedia Scottish poetry.  

Severin has held numerous administrative posts at different levels within the university, including associate head of English, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and special assistant to the provost.  

Severin is a former American Council on Education Fellow (Duke University class of 2011-2012); the ACE program prepares senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities. Her lifelong commitment to diversity has been demonstrated through her role as co-PI on the university’s ADVANCE grant (2008 – 2012), designed to improve recruitment and retention of  women faculty and faculty of color. She earned her doctoral degree in 20th century British literature from Indiana University in 1989.

Severin takes over the department’s leadership from Tony Harrison, who will return to the faculty after serving as head with energy and distinction for 11 years.

English was one of the first courses taught at NC State, beginning in 1889. The Department of English is one of the largest departments on NC State’s campus today, offering five undergraduate concentrations for students pursing a degree in English, eight minors and three graduate courses of study.