On July 1, Samantha Early, the new dean of the School of Arts and Letters, took office.
Prior to her position as dean, Early was an associate professor and coordinator for the IUS Department of English.
Early began her career at IU Southeast in August 1999, where she utilized her specialty in African-American literature.
“As a faculty member, I’d gotten to the point where I thought I reached a level of competency,” Early said. “I thought taking the position as dean would be a challenge, and I would be able to see the campus in a broader way.”
Early will not be teaching any classes this year as a result of her new position. However, after this year, she will begin teaching one class each year.
Despite her decision to delay teaching a year, Early will be presented with numerous and new responsibilities that come with her title as dean.
“I am basically a liaison between faculty and upper-administration,” Early said. “I report directly to the vice chancellor of Academic Affairs.”
Sabrina Haas, secretary for School of Arts and Letters, said Early is easy to work with.
“She is very good at communicating with students and staff and informing us of what we need to be aware of,” Haas said.
Previously pursuing a teaching career at IU Southeast, Early grew up and attended college in Ohio.
Early attended a small liberal arts school, Mount Union College in Alliance, in Ohio, where she received her bachelor’s degree in English and fine arts.
“I was brought up in a family where both parents attended a liberal arts school,” Early said.
Early said her passion for the fine arts led her toward a career as a sculptor while her passion for analyzing text and watching “Indiana Jones” as a child gave her the inspiration to pursue a career in archelogy.
However, she said neither surpassed her yearning to help and teach people to become productive.
“I was offered the job at IU Southeast for my specialty in ethnic American literature,” Early said.
In addition to becoming a faculty member at IU Southeast, Early said she encountered another important turning point in her life, becoming a mother to her three children.
“Becoming a mother has to be one of the most pivotal experiences of my life,” Early said. “I was already at midlife when my first child was born. It definitely brought everything into perspective.”
Early has several short- and long-term goals she would like to pursue in her future — both in her professional and personal life.
“I want to learn how to be a dean,” Early said. “I went through the usual training of research and skills but not administration. They don’t teach you how to be an effective administrator. My more-general goal is to help my children grow up. I would also like to come back to teaching and help students become good citizens.”
By COURTNEY MCKINLEY
Staff
comckinl@imail.iu.edu