Jennifer Cramer Email and Phone Number

I am a humanist. But what does that mean? People know the humanities exist but struggle to explain what they are. I say that the humanities are that which makes us human. It's those stories, thoughts, words, ideas, and creations that give a glimpse into the lives, cultures, and realities of humans. As a linguist, I like to say there is nothing more human than language. Linguistics, or the systematic study of human language, sits at the intersection of the social sciences, the natural sciences, and the humanities. We explore the most interesting facets of language in ways that go well beyond the everyday.With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, I have made extraordinary teaching, research, and service contributions. In teaching, I engage students in the critical thinking and problem solving required to do linguistics. In research, I examine the role of dialects in the lives of Americans. In service, I work to advance and elevate the humanities across Kentucky. This is the life of a faculty member. But faculty must also make leadership a priority in their institutions and communities. I have taken on a number of leadership roles, engaging in everything from faculty development and mentoring to strategic planning and philanthropy. I have established myself as a leader, approaching every interaction with kindness, clarity, and integrity. So, when I say that promoting the humanities is a central component of my career in higher education, some may question why. Politicians and the media proclaim the humanities dead, and some universities have shuttered departments and programs, putting nails in the coffin. These universities are being shortsighted, and people in the places where the humanities are dying will suffer. How many employers want to hire an engineer who has not considered how their work impacts the people for whom they build bridges and design electronics? How many companies would prefer to forgo having employees who can translate not only between languages but between cultures and people, bridging that which divides us, in order to make their products sell better internationally? Are the best leaders in the world those who have considered the world from various perspectives or those who are narrowminded? When people no longer have access to a humanistic approach to the world, these are the likely outcomes.Higher education and the entire world of work need more humanists. I am actively considering new opportunities to put my leadership skills to good use to make this happen.Connect with me: jennifer.s.cramer@gmail.com