Buckridge named director of Area Studies

Steeve Buckridge, associate professor of history, has been named new director of Grand Valley's Area Studies. He will assume his new duties January 10.

Buckridge, who joined Grand Valley's faculty 13 years ago, said he was interested in the position because it affords opportunities for curriculum development and institutional development. Housed in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Area Studies encompasses majors in Chinese studies and minors in African and African American, East Asian, Latin American and Middle East studies.

Buckridge said he plans to work with Area Studies colleagues to strengthen existing programs, develop the unit into a department and eventually a center of excellence. "Over time, the department will grow into a premier institute or center that acts as a conduit for cultural information with committed scholars engaged in collaborative learning, teaching and academic excellence," he said.

Wendy Wenner, dean of the Brooks COIS, said Buckridge was selected for the position, in part, because of his enthusiasm for the program and vision for the future of the department. Buckridge will continue to teach one or two history courses per semester.