Griot Institute Staff
Carmen Gillespie, Director
Carmen Gillespie received her Ph.D. from Emory University, and is a Professor of English and the Director of the Griot Institute of Africana Studies. Her research, writing, and teaching interests are in American, African American, and Caribbean literatures and cultures and creative writing.
Read more about Carmen's teaching philosophy and her work with the Griot.
Rebecca Willoughby, Assistant Coordinator
rebecca.willoughby@bucknell.edu
Rebecca earned her Ph. D. in English from Lehigh University, where she studied early modern dramatic literature and film. In addition to her position at the Griot Institute, Rebecca is also part of Bucknell's Presidential Arts Initiative and teaches in the English Department.
Meranda Steel, Administrative Fellow
Meranda Steel earned her B.A in Communications from Bloomsburg University and her teaching certificate from Susquehanna University. She has spent several years as a secondary education teacher. Meranda is the Administrative Fellow for the Griot and the Presidential Arts Initiative. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling.
Eve Marie Blasinsky, Graduate Student Assistant
Eve is a first-year graduate student in the English Department. She earned her B.A. in English from John Carroll University in Ohio. Eve enjoys creative writing, travelling, and art. During her time away from academia, she's been a dishwasher, ESL instructor, gardener, floral designer, and camp counselor.
Elyas Harris, Student Assistant
Elyas is a senior from Boston, Massachusetts majoring in Political Science and Education, and minoring in Dance. Last year, he was President of Take 2, a performance troupe on campus and an active member of the Latino Dance Corner.
Heather Hennigan, Student Assistant
Heather is a sophomore from New Jersey majoring in Literary Studies. She loves literature, creative writing and graphic design and also serves as an Academic Ambassador on campus.
Kaitlin Scagluso, Student Assistant
Kaitlin Scagluso is a freshman from New York. She enjoys rock climbing, reading, and traveling. She has participated in BuckWild and is currently a member of the Bucknell Outing Club.
