Tara Williams has been named associate dean of the University Honors College.

Tara Williams, an associate professor of English in the School of Writing, Literature and Film and affiliated faculty member in Women Studies, has been named associate dean of the University Honors College (UHC) at Oregon State.

“I am extremely excited for Dr. Williams to join the honors community,” said Toni Doolen, the UHC dean. “She brings outstanding experience and energy to the college at a critical time in our development.”

The associate dean is a half-time appointment with primary responsibility for curriculum development, assessment and experiential learning. The position has been vacant since Doolen, the previous associate dean, was named dean of the UHC in June, 2012.

Williams joined the faculty at Oregon State University in 2004 after earning her Ph.D. from Rutgers University. Her teaching and internationally-recognized research focus on medieval literature and culture and pedagogical issues. She was graduate coordinator for English from 2010-2011, when she implemented a redesigned program curriculum, and her broad experience on campus includes service as the chair of the Faculty Senate Library Committee from 2009-2011, as well as engagement with the University Honors College as an instructor, thesis mentor and scholarship panelist.

“Being associate dean of the UHC will be a wonderful opportunity to work with outstanding students and faculty across the university,” said Williams. She is excited by the challenges of providing curricular and co-curricular content for a diverse and growing student population. “I’m especially looking forward to expanding the experiential learning opportunities available to UHC students,” she said.

Williams will officially assume her new responsibilities on July 1, 2013.