Jolie Sheffer

Jolie Sheffer is a Professor of English and American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), affiliated with the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program. She holds leadership roles as Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences, overseeing research, experiential learning, and graduate education. Previously, she directed the Institute for the Study of Culture & Society (ICS) from 2016–2023, earning the David Hoch Memorial Award for Excellence in Service in 2019. She earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia (2007), with earlier degrees from the same institution and Northwestern University (B.A., 1998).

Education:

• Ph.D. English Language & Literature, University of Virginia, 2007
• M.A. English Language & Literature, University of Virginia, 2003
• B.A. English, Northwestern University, 1998

Research Interests: Twentieth-century American literature and culture, race & ethnicity, gender and sexuality, critical theory, and cultural studies. Her work bridges literary analysis with public humanities, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Notable projects include Understanding Karen Tei Yamashita (2020) and The Romance of Race (2013), which explore multiculturalism and intersectional identity.

Awards & Recognition:

• David Hoch Memorial Award for Excellence in Service (2019)
• NEH CARES Grant (2020, pandemic pedagogy project)

Leadership & Grants: Co-authored articles on shared governance and academic leadership, including work on leadership development and cross-institutional collaboration. Led initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education through projects like the “Moonshot for Diversity and Accessibility.”

Labs/Teams: Directed the ICS, fostering collaborations between faculty, students, and community partners. Engaged in digital humanities projects, including co-editing a MELUS special issue on ethnic historical fiction and contributing to the Digital Public Library of America.