Shannen Dee Williams

Dr. Shannen Dee Williams is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Dayton, specializing in African American history, women’s history, and religious studies. She holds a full-time faculty position and focuses on Black Catholic nuns’ roles in the freedom struggle. Her work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Letitia Woods Brown Award and the Wesley-Logan Prize. Previously, she taught at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee.

• Education History: Postdoctoral Fellow at Case Western Reserve University, Assistant Professor roles at Villanova and Tennessee.
• Research Interests: Intersection of race, gender, and religion, with emphasis on Black Catholic contributions to social justice. Her book Subversive Habits redefines narratives of Black Catholic history.
• Awards: Multiple fellowships and grants, including Schomburg and Newcombe awards.
• Labs/Teams: Co-founder of Fleming-Morrow Endowment in African American History; established the Mother Mary Lange Lecture and Cyprian Davis Prize.