Barbara Ladner

Barbara Ladner is a Professor in the Department of English at West Virginia State University (WVSU) and serves as Coordinator of General Education. She holds a B.A. in English from Rice University and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University. Her career includes teaching roles at the University of California Berkeley and Marshall University before joining WVSU in 1991. She has held significant administrative roles, including Assistant Dean of the Governor’s Honors Academy (1995-1996), Coordinator of General Education (1998-2006), Chair of the Department of English (2008-2010), and Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities (2010-2013).

Dr. Ladner’s professional experience extends beyond academia to include roles in university public relations at Columbia University and Marshall University Graduate College, as well as editorial work with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and New York publishing companies. Her expertise spans interdisciplinary fields such as American Studies, educational administration, and institutional governance.