Kandis Leslie Gilliard-AbdulAziz has been named an assistant professor in the department of chemical and environmental engineering at the University of California, Riverside. She was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gilliard-AbdulAziz holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Temple University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois.
Sonia M. Gipson Rankin has been named an assistant professor of law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. She has served at the university as associate dean for curriculum and program development in University College and as a senior lecturer in Africana studies.
Professor Gipson Rankin holds a bachelor of science degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore and a juris doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Teju Cole has been named the first Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice of creative writing at Harvard University. He is an author and photographer, perhaps best known for his debut novel, Open City (Random House, 2011).
Dr. Cole holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history from Kalamazoo College in Michigan, a master’s degree in art history from the University of London, a master’s degree in 16th century Northern European visual culture and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
