Caroline Woidat

Caroline Woidat is a Professor of English at the State University of New York at Geneseo, serving as Director of the Center for Social Justice Studies and Coordinator of American Studies, Native American Studies, and the Carceral Studies microcredential. She joined Geneseo in 1994 after earning her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to social justice, Native American literature, and textual recovery through archival research.

Education: Ph.D. in English from Vanderbilt University.

Research focuses on 19th-century authors like Elizabeth Oakes Smith and anti-prison writings by women activists. Her 2015 publication, The Western Captive and Other Indian Stories, highlights her expertise in recovering marginalized literary voices. She actively coordinates cross-departmental initiatives and has led student programs in Ireland, including study at the Yeats International Summer School.

Awards: Recipient of the 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Teaching and Leadership: Teaches courses on Native American literature, American women writers, and sustainability studies. Coordinates interdisciplinary programs fostering social justice education and prison abolition discourse.