As new director at the Luann Dummer Center for Women, Young-ok An is excited about the opportunity to serve the vast constituents of women students, faculty, and the staff at UST. An has been at the University since 1997, and has held the post of Assitant to the Chair of the English department from 2008 to 2012, during which she worked closely with adjunct faculty members. Through her teaching, scholarship, and service, she has worked on issues of gender, feminism, women’s history and writing; she hopes to bring her experiences and specialty to the job so as to support and advocate for the Center’s mission. She also hopes to strengthen and expand the sense of community with which the LDCW has long been associated. An regularly teaches, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, courses in British Romantic literature, women’s writing, critical theory, as well as literature and writing. Also, she has enjoyed teaching various courses in Women’s Studies, including Senior Seminar.

Beth grew up in central Minnesota and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Benedict, double majoring in History and Nutrition Science.  She moved to the west coast of Ireland for graduate school, earning her Master of Arts degree in Irish Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway.  Beth has been working in Higher Education for much of the past decade at public and private universities in several states in the Midwest and Southwest.  She has spent her time mainly in the academic and student affairs arenas in roles as a Financial Aid counselor, Registrar, and Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid. 

Beth splits her time on campus between the Center for Faculty Development and Luann Dummer Center for Women.  Beth also organizes the Yarn Tamers group through LDCW and is a member of the LDCW Book Club.