NCC: Francine Navakas papers

Francine Navakas received her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Chicago, master of arts degree in English from the University of California at Berkley, and her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Navakas was appointed to the faculty of North Central as a visiting lecturer in the English in 1978. She was promoted to assistant professor in 1979, associate professor in 1983, and professor in 1987. She served as the Chair of the Department of English and the Division of Arts and Letters. She also served as the Faculty Speaker from 1994-1995. Navakas held one of the first fully-endowed professorships, the Svend & Elizabeth Bramsen Professor in the Humanities, starting in 1991. Navakas helped coordinate a History of Ideas program on campus and was one of the leaders in establishing a Women’s Studies minor at North Central in 1992. She also served as Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Studies and Coordinator of Integrative Programs. Navakas was Associate Academic Dean from 2001-2016 and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2016-2017. Navakas received faculty emerita status at North Central’s 152nd Commencement on June 10, 2017.