October 12, 2023
Launius appointed interim head of social transformation studies
Christie Launius, associate professor in the social transformation studies department, was named interim head of the department in June by Chris Culbertson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Launius joined the gender, women and sexuality studies department in 2018 and helped lead its merger with American ethnic studies to form the social transformation studies department in 2022. Her research interests include narratives of upward mobility obtained via education and the scholarship of teaching and learning in gender, women and sexuality studies. She co-authored an introductory textbook that is used widely in the field.
“We thank Dr. Launius for being willing to lead the department while we gear up to search for a new department head,” said Culbertson. “As a previous head of the gender, women and sexuality studies department, she has the experience needed to be successful during this transitional period.”
Before K-State, Launius led women’s and gender studies programs at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Augusta University in Georgia.
Launius received a master’s degree in English from Illinois State University, a master’s degree in women’s studies from the University of Cincinnati, and a doctorate in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.