RIT Appoints New Associate Dean of Liberal Arts

‌

a sue Weisler

Babak Elahi

Rochester resident Babak Elahi, associate professor of English, has been named associate dean of Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Liberal Arts. Elahi will assist in the implementation of the college’s strategic plan and serve as an adviser to Dean Robert Ulin on academic and research issues.

“I am honored to be selected for this post and look forward to working with the dean and the college’s faculty and students to further the development of liberal arts programs at RIT,” Elahi says. “The college offers a host of cutting-edge degrees and research opportunities and I am committed to expanding these initiatives and promoting the college on both the local and national level.”

Elahi is a recognized expert in immigrant literature and the immigrant experience in America. He is the author of The Fabric of American Literary Realism, which investigates the impact of fashion and the immigrant garment industry on the development of realist literature in 19th century America. He is currently working on a book manuscript titled The Iranian Condition: Illness as Metaphor in Modern Iranian Literature and Film. A native of Iran, Elahi received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester.

“Professor Elahi is an excellent teacher and scholar and his expertise and vision will be a tremendous asset to the college,” notes Ulin. “He will be a key member of the leadership team and assist the college in advancing its educational and research offerings both in traditional liberal arts fields as well as in a host of multidisciplinary programs combining engineering, science and the arts.”

Elahi joins M. Ann Howard, senior associate dean of Liberal Arts, on Ulin’s senior leadership team.