Provost Nowell Donovan announced last week that Dr. Sarah Robbins, holder of the Lorraine Sherley Chair in Literature, has been appointed acting dean of the John V. Roach Honors College.

Donovan wrote in an e-mail that he appointed Robbins because of her background, experience, and personality.

“I chose Dr. Robbins because she has an eclectic background, including appropriate administrative experience and has, in my opinion, the skill set necessary to ensure the continuity of the program as we search for a permanent Dean,” Donovan wrote.

Robbins wrote in an email that she is thrilled to receive the opportunity and to continue developing the Honors College.

“Being asked to serve as acting dean for the John V. Roach Honors College is such an exciting privilege,” Robbins wrote.

“I’m very grateful to be able to draw on the amazing work done by Dean Peggy Watson and all the faculty, staff, and students who have already contributed in so many ways to the development of Honors at TCU, as well as the many alumni and donors who have helped sustain its growth.”

Robbins wrote that she hopes her passion for teaching and her previous experiences working with honors students will help her excel at her new position.

“I hope the most important thing I bring to the coming year in honors is a love of teaching and a commitment to the teacher-scholar model that is at the heart of TCU’s vision,” Robbins wrote.

Robbins wrote that her experiences include developing colloquia classes on bestselling books that have sought to address social problems, creating a new a cultural visions course on cross-cultural contact and social change, and directing honors theses.

According to the TCU English department’s website, Robbins grew up in Greensboro, N.C. and received her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She earned her doctorate at the University of Michigan and taught at Kennesaw State University before coming to TCU. At Kennesaw State, she was the founding director of a National Writing Project site and the co-director of several NEH-funded projects focused on American literature and community studies.

Robbins also coordinated the university’s academic programs in Gender and Women’s Studies and American Studies.