Carnegie Mellon University

About Us


On behalf of the entire department, welcome to English at Carnegie Mellon. As you browse our website, you will discover a department that is both inspired by the richness of disciplinary traditions and dedicated to innovation. I hope you will also discern a collaborative culture that affords opportunities for interdisciplinary connections across campus and around the world.

Our primary focus is on the student experience. We offer a range of courses—from traditional to cutting-edge, from introductory to advanced—all in support of the university's strategic vision to meet the changing needs of society. Whether it's an Introduction to Shakespearean Comedies, Advanced Poetry Workshop, or Communicating in the Global Marketplace, our students are developing intellectual and creative capabilities that are vital for success in the university and beyond.

In addition to outstanding course offerings, we cultivate an ever-growing number of opportunities for students, including lecture series, writing competitions, study abroad, and community outreach programs.

Please see our News section for highlights of the many achievements of our world-class faculty, graduate students and undergraduate majors. 

As Head, I value your support and welcome your feedback. Thank you for helping to sustain the excellence of the department and for helping to preserve its strong position among English departments, both in the U.S. and abroad.

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Andreea Deciu Ritivoi
Professor and Head, Department of English

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