The Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (CSEEES) is excited to share that our affiliate faculty member, former outreach coordinator and MA program alumna Dr. Sunnie Rucker-Chang has been appointed the next Kenneth E. Naylor Professor of South Slavic Culture. 

The Deans of the College of Arts and Sciences and Arts and Humanities Drs. Horn and Renga praised Dr. Rucker-Chang in her appointment letter for her pursuit of the studies of South Slavic culture, her national and international profile as a leader in her field, her exciting research, including her book-in-progress What Does It Mean to Be Black?: Discourses and Experiences of “Black” Populations in Former Yugoslav Space. 

The Kenneth E. Naylor Professorship was established on November 5, 1993 in the College of Humanities (now part of the College of Arts and Sciences) through gifts to The Ohio State University from the estate of Professor Naylor. The professorship is a five-year renewable appointment, dedicated to preserving and continuing the scholarly legacy of Dr. Naylor.

Dr. Rucker-Chang will be succeeding Dr. Brian Joseph who recently retired as longtime Kenneth E. Naylor Professor of South Slavic Linguistics. Congratulations to Dr. Rucker-Chang on this incredible honor!