English, Foreign Language and Humanities Department Announces New Chair

January 28, 2022

Northwestern Oklahoma State University has new leadership in the English, Foreign Language and Humanities Department as Dr. Roxie James has been named as its new chair. 

James replaces Dr. Kathryn Lane, professor of English, who will remain as faculty. 

“In her six years with the university, Dr. James has demonstrated her gifts for leadership and organization through her work in the classroom, as chair of the honors program, and in a number of other roles,” said Dr. James Bell, associate vice president for academics and dean of faculty. “These gifts, as well as her collegial and student-centered outlook, will serve her well as chair. She will also have a great mentor nearby in Dr. Kathryn Lane, who is completing a successful stint as chair for the past few years. I am looking forward to working with Dr. James in her new role.” 

The assistant professor of English joined the Northwestern faculty in the fall of 2016. She teaches Composition I, Composition II, British Literature, World Mythology and World Novel. She is the chair of the Honors Program and is also heavily involved in the Spanish Club and Sigma Tau Delta. 

“I am very excited that Dr. James accepted the position of department chair,” said Dr. Bo Hannaford, executive vice president. “I have worked with her on other committees over the last few years, and her leadership skills are evident. She cares about the success of her students and colleagues, communicates well, and will provide the continued leadership that drives that department. I look forward to working with her for years to come.”

Hannaford also said he appreciated the job Lane provided while in that role and is sure that she will provide any help needed to James during this transition.

James said she is ready to take on more community outreach and plans to continue to build upon the department’s already successful events such as the Banned Book Reading, the Writing Marathon and the Dia de los Muertos celebration. 

“I love when students come to class ready to learn and have meaningful conversations about a text they have never read before,” James said. 

The Department of English, Foreign Language, and Humanities under the School of Arts & Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, English Education, and Spanish, with minors in English, Writing, or Spanish. 

For more information about the department, visit www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/english-foreign-language-and-humanities or contact James at (580) 327-8474 or rjjames@nwosu.edu.  

-NW-