Elyssa Faison
Associate Professor, Department Chair and L.R. Brammer JR Presidential Professor, University of Oklahoma
Elyssa Faison is in her second term as academic chair of the OU Department of History. Her research and teaching focuses on modern Japanese history. Prior to serving as History Department chair, she served as interim chair of Women’s and Gender Studies at OU for a year and a half and oversaw a search for an external WGS Department Chair. She also serves currently as Provost’s Faculty Fellow for Faculty Leadership Development, working closely with the OU Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. She previously served as Faculty Fellow for Faculty Affairs for the University of Oklahoma Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. In that role, she oversaw the college tenure and promotion process and launched a new monthly Lunch and Learn program for DFCAS chairs and directors. That continuing series features guest speakers from within the college and around campus who share their expertise about policies, procedures, faculty and student recruitment, leadership, and more. She believes that leadership comes from deep engagement with all levels of administration, and with faculty and students.