JOHNSON CITY — Dr. Chris Keller has been selected to lead the Honors College at East Tennessee State University.

Keller will assume the role of dean July 8 and comes to ETSU from Western Kentucky University where he served as associate director for the Mahurin Honors College overseeing academics, undergraduate research, faculty development, advising and scheduling for 1,300 students.

Keller has taught honors practicum and humanities in addition to writing courses ranging from advanced composition to thesis writing colloquium and graduate-level professional and technical writing. He co-authored the textbook “Technical Communication in the 21st Century” in 2006 and a second edition in 2009. Keller is currently revising the text and “Technical Communication: An Engaged Student Approach” will be published next year.

Prior to Western Kentucky University, Keller also held several leadership roles during a 12-year tenure at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, most recently as associate dean of the Honors College. He also directed the Office of International Programs and was interim chair for the Modern Languages and Literature Department and for the English Department.

Keller is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council’s Place as Text Committee, its Publications Board, and the editorial board for the Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council. He earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Florida and also received a B.A. and M.A. in English from the University of Texas at Austin and Kansas State University, respectively.

As dean, Keller will oversee five scholars programs, undergraduate research and international programs, among other duties.

“Since the initial creation of our Honors program in 1993, followed by the launching of our Honors College in 2005, East Tennessee State University has offered a high level of honors enrichment activities for undergraduate students in all of our colleges across campus,” said Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop, senior vice president for academics. “Dr. Keller was selected following a national search, and his expertise in leading honors programs in Texas and in Kentucky will be very beneficial as we explore future opportunities for the ETSU Honors College.”

For more information about the Honors College at ETSU, visit www.etsu.edu/honors.