June 21, 2024
College of Arts and Sciences announces new modern languages department head
The College of Arts and Sciences announces that Jeffrey Zamostny will be the new modern languages department head starting Aug. 4.
Zamostny comes to K-State from the University of West Georgia, where he was a Spanish professor and the director of the university's Office of Undergraduate Research. Zamostny joined the department of foreign languages and literatures as an assistant professor in 2012 and was promoted to full professor in 2022, having served as Spanish section coordinator from 2018 to 2022 and acting chair of the department in 2018. He also directed the gender and sexuality studies minor program for six years.
"We are excited to have Dr. Zamostny as our new head of the modern languages department," said Chris Culbertson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "He brings a wealth of administrative and strategic planning experience from his previous position that will help the department flourish under our Nex-Gen K-State strategic plan."
Zamostny researches the print and visual culture of early 20th-century Spain, with a focus on gender, sexuality, celebrity and fandom in popular fiction. He is co-editor of the books "Kiosk Literature of Silver Age Spain: Modernity and Mass Culture" and "Towards the Digital Cultural History of the Other Silver Age Spain," and translator into English of Elena Fortún's novel, "Hidden Path/Oculto sendero." His teaching interests include crafting high-quality experiential learning opportunities in undergraduate research, work-based learning and study abroad.
Among Zamostny's honors and awards are a College of Arts, Culture and Scientific Inquiry Faculty Excellence Award in Service; College of Arts and Humanities Faculty Research Recognition; and University of West Georgia Nominee for the University System of Georgia Regents' Teaching Award.
"Modern languages has a key role to play as the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan works to further enhance the institution's reputation on the world stage," said Zamostny. "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the department in support of the university's land-grant mission."
Zamostny earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at McDaniel College in 2007 and a graduate certificate in social theory and Ph.D. in Hispanic studies from the University of Kentucky in 2010 and 2012, respectively.