Julia McCord Chavez

Julia McCord Chavez, Ph.D., J.D., is an accomplished academic serving as Interim Dean of both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Counseling at Saint Martin’s University. She holds the rank of Professor in the Department of English. Her interdisciplinary career combines legal training with literary scholarship, reflecting her dedication to social justice and critical analysis.

Chavez earned a B.A. in English from DePauw University, a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Literary Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in 19th-century British literature. Her doctoral work explored the intersection of Victorian serialized fiction and critical reading practices, particularly for female audiences.

Her research focuses on Victorian print culture, gender studies, and the pedagogical application of literature. She has contributed to landmark publications like the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature and co-edited special issues on law and gender in Victorian studies. Her upcoming work includes a Literary Companion to the Major Works of Charles Dickens.

Chavez actively promotes interdisciplinary teaching, integrating historical and cultural contexts into courses on Romantic/Victorian literature, composition, and global themes. She has served as faculty advisor to the Benedictine Scholars program and Director of the Center for Scholarship and Teaching, emphasizing teaching innovation and scholarly engagement.

Outside academia, she volunteers with Our Common Home Farms, a sustainable agriculture initiative. Her scholarship bridges literary analysis with social justice, offering fresh perspectives on Victorian literature’s relevance to contemporary discourse.