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Auburn history professor named director of Honors College

“Auburn’s Honors College plays a critical role in strengthening our academic community,” said Tiffany Sippial, the next Honors College director.

<p>Tiffany Sippial has been named director of the Honors College, effective July 1.</p>

Tiffany Sippial has been named director of the Honors College, effective July 1.

Tiffany Sippial, associate professor of history at Auburn, has been named the director of the Auburn University Honors College, effective July 1.

As director of the Honors College, Sippial will lead a number of distinguished academic programs including University’s prestigious scholars program. 

She will continue to foster partnerships with faculty across campus to offer advanced academic opportunities.

“Auburn’s Honors College plays a critical role in strengthening our academic community,” Sippial said. “Going forward, it is important that our students continue to have distinctive academic experiences that not only support Auburn’s mission and culture, but also challenge them to take advantage of opportunities for advanced learning, discovery and service.”

Sippial has been at Auburn since 2007, prior to being promoted to director of graduate studies in the history department. She has served as an associate professor in the department of history since spring 2013. 

While at Auburn, Sippial has taught several classes in the history department as well as in the Honors College. She has taught a seminar on Cuba and led multiple study and travel courses to the country as well.

Sippial’s research and work focuses on early and modern Latin-American gender and sexuality in Cuba and the Caribbean. 

Sippial has published an award-winning book on Cuba with the University of North Carolina Press. She is completing another book with the same press.

“Dr. Sippial’s innovation, commitment to academic excellence and support for student success ensures that she is well positioned to carry Auburn’s Honors College forward,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Bill Hardgrave.

Sippial’s appointment fills Constance Relihan’s, former associate provost for undergraduate studies, vacancy after her retirement from the University in May.

The Honors College offers academic programs, research opportunities and prestigious scholar programs for high-potential students from across campus. The college has grown from an enrollment of 15 in its inaugural in 1979 to a current enrollment of 1,700. The college is expecting 535 incoming freshmen in fall 2018.

In the upcoming year, Sippial will also serve as president of Latin-American and Caribbean section of the Southern Historical Association.

Sippial received her doctoral degree in history, a master’s degree in Latin-American studies at the University of New Mexico and a pair of bachelors degrees from Southwestern University.


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