This summer, Case Western Reserve University will welcome Elena Foulis as the new director of the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women.
“We are delighted to have Elena accept our invitation to lead the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women,” said Lynn T. Singer, deputy provost and vice president for academic affairs, who oversees the center. “Her experience as an educator, her own research in gender studies through a transnational feminist lens, and her commitment to inspiring and engaging students are incredible assets for the center and CWRU.”
Foulis, who arrives on campus on Aug. 1, has worked at The Ohio State University for eight years as senior lecturer of Spanish and outreach coordinator.
Foulis received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from The Ohio State University and earned her master’s in Spanish and PhD in comparative literature and cultural studies from the University of Arkansas.
She specializes in U.S. Latina/o and African-American women writers as well as Latin American literature and culture. Her research and teaching interests also include digital oral history and digital storytelling. Last summer, she released a free e-book on iTunes, Latin@ Stories Across Ohio—a bilingual oral history book that documents the stories of Latino women and men from across generations using traditional oral history methods as well as maps, video, pictures and audio.
Athletic Director Amy Backus led the search committee, which considered three dozen candidates before on-campus sessions with finalists. Backus said she and other committee members were impressed by Foulis’ passion and willingness to create growth and vision for the center’s future.