Faculty News

Dr. Young Jung, associate professor of Korean studies and CHSS alumna (PhD '14), has been named a 2026 CHSS Distinguished Alumni – Faculty honoree. Her work, including Korean Kirogi Families (Bloomsbury, 2024), and her leadership in building Mason's nationally ranked Korean program were recognized.

MCL faculty showcased their expertise and leadership in teaching innovation at the 2026 Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference through a series of virtual and in-person presentations. The conference provided a rich learning opportunity and reflected MCL's ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

"This essay rethinks infection in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic by examining how its imaginaries are reconfigured in contemporary science fiction."

To counter the isolation of teaching less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), educators turned a STARTALK workshop into an ongoing collaborative network. Through joint teaching, conference presentations, and co-authoring, this shared journey demonstrates the transformative value of professional communities for LCTL educators.

Sayed Elsisi publishes a new book chapter, “Divine in Carnal Mirrors: Unveiling the Sacred Through Love and Eroticism in The Arabian Nights.”

Professor Esperanza Román-Mendoza from the Department of Modern and Classical Languages was invited to participate in the 36th Summer School at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain to address the impact of AI on language learning and education.

GMU Faculty Contributes to Howard–Georgetown Africa and Middle East Literature Workshop

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages closes Spring 2026 on a high note. The department has continued to grow in both scholarly ambition and collegial spirit. This year brought a remarkable number of well-deserved recognitions, reflecting the dedication and excellence of our faculty across teaching, research, and service.

Feb. 9, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Location: Taylor 203, Vassar College

"The Heroine with a Thousand Faces: Rethinking the Interpretations of 'The Arabian Nights'"