Marc Geisler named associate dean of CHSS

Marc Geisler has been named as associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Western Washington University.

"I am delighted to be able to announce that Marc Geisler has been appointed to serve as associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He has served the university and the English Department well,” said Provost Catherine Riordan.

Geisler succeeds LeaAnn Martin as associate dean. Martin was named CHSS dean following former dean Brent Carbajal’s appointment to serve as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“I am thrilled Dr. Geisler has accepted this position. He brings significant experience as a leader of a large and vibrant department and as someone who is involved broadly across campus. I have enjoyed working with him in the past and look forward to his contributions as associate dean for the College,” said CHSS Dean LeaAnn Martin.

Geisler, who began at Western in 1992, has served as department chair of the English Department for the past seven years. Previously, he served the English Department as associate chair for three years and director of Graduate Studies for four years. This past year, he co-directed department chair training and workshops at Western.

He is a specialist in British Renaissance literature and critical theory and teaches courses in contemporary critical and cultural theory, Milton and nonconformist literature, early modern feminism, early modern patronage and popular culture, Shakespeare, Spenser, politics and literature, and cultural studies. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Irvine.

"Working closely and collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and administration to strengthen existing programs, build new programs, promote excellent teaching and research/creative activity, and nurture a thriving academic culture has been my calling ever since I arrived at Western 20 years ago. I see the associate dean position as the next step in my development as a caring and attentive administrator, and I welcome the opportunity to continue giving back to a college that has supported me so much as a faculty member and department chair,” Geisler said.

The College of Humanities and Social Services, the university’s largest college, includes the 13 departments of Anthropology; Communication Sciences and Disorders; Physical Education, Health and Recreation; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Communication; English; History; Journalism; Liberal Studies; Modern and Classical Languages; and Philosophy as well as three interdisciplinary programs: East Asian Studies, Linguistics and Women's Studies.