معرفی
Heather A. West serves as Associate Professor of French in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Samford University's Howard College of Arts and Sciences, where she directs the Critical Languages Program and sponsors the French Club and Delta Upsilon chapter of Dobro Slovo (National Slavic Honor Society).
Education:
- BA in French, Birmingham-Southern College
- BA in Spanish, Samford University
- MA in French, Mississippi State University
- MAEd, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- PhD in Romance Languages, University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
Research Interests: Dr. West specializes in contemporary Quebec literature and culture, with significant contributions to Caribbean literary studies across French, Spanish, and English traditions, particularly focusing on Haitian diaspora narratives within broader Romance language frameworks. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges Francophone, Hispanophone, and Anglophone cultural studies through postcolonial and diaspora lenses.
Scientific Awards:
- Chevalier de l’ordre des Palmes académiques (Knight of the Order of Academic Palms) from the French government (2015)
Advising and Grants: As campus representative for major international programs, Dr. West administers the David L. Boren Awards, Critical Languages Scholarship, College Language Association's Carroll Mills Young Scholarship, and American Society of French Academic Palms Summer Scholarship. She also serves as non-certifying advisor for the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program, facilitating extensive student study abroad opportunities.
Professional Leadership: Dr. West acts as Alabama state administrator for the National French Contest (Le Grand Concours) and serves as secretary of the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs, demonstrating institutional commitment to language education advancement.
