Associate Dean Appointment for the College of Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts News and Events
July 10, 2024
The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) has appointed Theresa Vaughan, Ph.D., as associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective July 1.
She joined the UCO faculty full time in 1999, as a member of the Department of Humanities and Philosophy. With a background in anthropology and folklore studies, she took on existing courses emphasizing Indigenous and non-Western cultures and has developed and taught several more. She has regularly taught several courses as part of the religious studies minor.
Dr. Vaughan’s primary research areas are customs, beliefs and material culture, with an emphasis on foodways and women’s folklore. Her most recent book is “Women, Food, and Diet in the Middle Ages: Balancing the Humours,” published in 2020 by the Amsterdam University Press. She is active in the American Folklore Society and has served as lead editor for Digest: A Journal of Foodways and Culture since 2021.
Since beginning at UCO, Dr. Vaughan has served in numerous service capacities. Her university-level service has included four years on the Faculty Senate, serving as the inaugural chairperson of the University Core Curriculum Committee and elected to the Graduate Council, where she served for three years. She was chairperson of the Department of Humanities and Philosophy from 2008-16, then served as interim graduate director of the Master of Arts in liberal studies program. Dr. Vaughan also served as a co-faculty advisor for the UCO Medieval Society for 17 years. In March 2019, she moved into the assistant dean position in the College of Liberal Arts, then was appointed interim associate dean for the 2023-24 academic year.
During her tenure as assistant dean, Dr. Vaughan successfully applied for a $360,000 grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities American Rescue Plan, which covered a variety of projects within the College of Liberal Arts. She has been responsible for coordinating numerous projects and initiatives for the college while maintaining active teaching and research programs.
Dr. Vaughan holds a bachelor’s degree in French and anthropology from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in folklore from Indiana University and a doctorate in folklore with a double minor in anthropology from Indiana University.
Dr. Vaughan is recognized across campus and beyond for her tireless dedication to student success. We look forward to continuing to work with her in this new capacity.