Biography

Professor Katz (B.A., The City College of New York; M.A., Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University) came to Juniata in 1988 as a visiting assistant professor of English. Appointed assistant professor in 1991, and associate professor in 1997, she teaches World Literatures, Women and Literature, British Literature to 1600, the Contemporary Novel, advanced Essay Writing, and the College Writing Seminar.

Dr. Katz earned her Ph.D. at Penn State, where she was the recipient of the National Defense Education Act Fellowship from 1966-1969. In 1971, she was appointed assistant professor of English at Penn State and taught there for nine years.

Before coming to Juniata, Dr. Katz served on the Board of the Centre County Women's Resource Center, as chair, vice-chair, and board member; and she edited the organization's newsletter from 1982 to 1987. She was elected as the Democratic Party Committeewoman for a Patton Township precinct; and she served as a press secretary and speech writer to a U.S. Congressional candidate. She is a member of the executive committee of the Centre County chapter of PFLAG.

Professor Katz has been an active member of the Juniata community. A co-chair of the College Writing Seminar, she has also served as advisor to J.C. Women's Connection, and as a committee member on faculty committees, and as a member of the Presidential Scholarship Selection Committee. She coordinates two cultural events every year: 'Unlock Your Voice,' a program of dramatic readings of works by women authors; and 'Lift Ev'ry Voice,' a program of dramatic reading of works by writers of African descent, to celebrate Black History Month.

She has edited books and catalogues, and writes fiction. Professor Katz is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and the Modern Language Association, and has attended seminars, workshops, and conferences of these and other organizations.

Dr. Katz has traveled extensively in Great Britain and France to medieval literary, religious, historical, and cultural sites. She participated in a Faculty Exchange at Humberside University, in Hull, England, in 1994.