Travis Landry, the William P. Rice Professor of Spanish & Literature, has been named associate provost. The two-time former chair of the modern languages and literatures department began in his new capacity Aug. 1.
“Travis brings a wealth of experience and an abundance of good ideas to the role,” Provost Jeff Bowman wrote in an email announcing the move to faculty. “Since joining Kenyon’s faculty in 2008, he has completed two tours of duty as chair of Modern Languages and Literatures (the largest department on campus). He has also served with energy and insight on a range of governance committees.”
Those groups include the Campus Senate, Faculty Affairs Committee, Curricular Policy Committee, Tenure and Promotion Committee, and Committee on Academic Standards.
Landry said he is excited about the new role and the chance to serve and support faculty.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “I'm eager to learn, to lend a hand where I can, and to do my best to contribute to the present and future well-being of the institution.”
Landry said he looks forward to assisting in the implementation of the College’s strategic plan as well. He was already involved in the process as chair of a subcommittee on integrated advising and has been working this summer as part of a group of faculty and staff from across campus.
“What attracted me to the position was the hope that I can have an impact. It’s a unique opportunity to help shape the direction of the College,” he said. “I bring enthusiasm and a commitment to teamwork.”
His predecessor, Associate Provost Wendy Singer, will continue to assist the office until she fully transitions to her new role as special assistant to the president for strategic initiatives and partnerships on Sept. 1.
Landry has a doctorate and master of arts in comparative literature from the University of Washington. His bachelor’s degree in comparative literature is from Brown University. In addition to his work in higher education, Landry taught middle school Spanish for four years in his hometown of Houston.
Landry regularly offers Spanish language and literature courses at Kenyon on topics such as Romanticism, the novel, and the legacy of Islam in Spain from the Enlightenment to the present.
Landry’s first book, "Subversive Seduction: Darwin, Sexual Selection, and the Spanish Novel," is an interdisciplinary exploration of the reciprocity between science and literature in the 19th century. Landry’s second book is a critical edition and translation of a travelogue about Spain by Muslim ambassador Aḥmad ibn al-Mahdī al-Ghazzāl. Created in collaboration with translator Abdulrahman al-Ruwaishan, it is entitled "The Fruits of the Struggle in Diplomacy and War: Moroccan Ambassador al-Ghazzāl and His Diplomatic Retinue in Eighteenth-Century Andalusia.”
In 2013, Landry was awarded a Whiting Fellowship, which recognizes outstanding teaching by junior faculty in the humanities. He received a U.S. Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Grant in the spring of 2023 to support a project centered on the philosophy of José Ortega y Gasset.
Away from the College, Landry enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He lives in Granville with his wife and two daughters.