Recent Professional Activities

Editorial Board, Rice University Press, 2008-present.

Chair, American Literature Section, Modern Language Association, 2007-8.

Advisory Board Member of the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes (CHCI) 2006-2011. The Advisory Board serves as the main governance body for the CHCI, suggesting programming, issues, and events for the organization's membership. It is composed of a maximum of twenty and a minimum of twelve members, each of whom normally serves for a term of five years.

Chair, Nominating Committee for the Advisory Council of the MLA's American Literature Section, 2006-8. The Advisory Council conducts the American Literature Section's official business, including setting up the Section's two panels at the MLA Convention and working with the editors of American Literature to nominate candidates for the journal's editorial board. We also play a coordinating role for the various MLA "divisions" that belong to the American Literature Section.

Chair, American Studies Association's Gene Wise - Warren Susman Prize. The Gene Wise - Warren Susman Prize is awarded for the best paper presented by a graduate student at the annual ASA meeting. The winning paper may deal with any aspect of American history, literature, or culture, but should reflect the breadth, the critical imagination, the intellectual boldness, and cross-disciplinary perspective.