Ethnic studies professor Rainier Spencer has been selected to serve as associate dean of UNLV's College of Liberal Arts.
Spencer, who has taught at UNLV since 1997, assumes his new administrative duties this month.
The author of the book, Spurious Issues: Race and Multiracial Identity Politics in the United States, Spencer earned his Ph.D. in Afro-American Studies from Emory University. He also holds a master's degree in philosophy from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in art and education from the University of Texas at El Paso.
He has written numerous book chapters and scholarly journal articles on topics such as "Blacks, the Army, and America," "A Just War Primer," and "Missing Links: A Consideration of Afro-American Ethnicity."
Before joining the faculty of UNLV's department of anthropology and ethnic studies, he worked for the African Studies Association as its annual meeting program coordinator and associate editor of the "ASA News," served as an assistant professor of English at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and served in the U.S. Army.
"We are fortunate to have a person of Rainier's reputation and accomplishments serving the college in this capacity," said Jim Frey, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "As a part of our leadership team he will play a significant role in the future of the college."
