Bright College
Home   >  Bright College   >  About   >  Meet the Dean

Meet the Dean

Known across campus for her collaborative leadership and deep commitment to academic excellence, Dr. Megan Brown continues to build on Bright College’s mission to meet students where they are and help them move confidently toward what’s next.

Meet the Dean

Dr. Megan Brown has served as Dean of Drake University's John Dee Bright College since 2024. A founding faculty member of the college, Dean Brown has been instrumental in shaping Bright College's innovative approach to accessible, interdisciplinary education from its earliest days. She brings 20 years of Drake faculty experience, a lifelong commitment to teaching, and a passion for student-centered learning to her role—guiding the college through a milestone period that includes an all-time high in student enrollment, up 30.9% compared to 2024.

Before stepping into the deanship, Dr. Brown served as Associate Dean of Bright College beginning in 2022. A professor of English, she has held campus leadership roles as Director of Writing, English Department Chair, Faculty Athletics Representative, Faculty Senate Executive Committee Member, and Crew Scholars Faculty Mentor.

Dean Brown is a published author and active scholar. She has written two books—American Autobiography After 9/11 and The Cultural Works of Corporations—and co-edited a third, Un/Bound. Her scholarly work has appeared in Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies, Biography, Women's Studies Quarterly, College Literature, South Atlantic Quarterly, Cultural Studies, and Journal of Medical Humanities.

Areas of Expertise

  • English Literature
  • Writing and Composition
  • Interdisciplinary Education
  • Academic Leadership
  • Student-Centered Learning

Education

  • BA in English, Amherst College, magna cum laude
  • MA in English, Penn State University
    Ph.D. in English, Penn State University

Professional Experience

  • Dean, John Dee Bright College since 2024
  • Associate Dean, John Dee Bright College, 2022–2024
  • Professor of English, Drake University
  • Director of Writing, Drake University
  • English Department Chair, Drake University

Significant Accomplishments

  • Founding faculty member, John Dee Bright College
  • Faculty Athletics Representative, Drake University
  • Faculty Senate Executive Committee Member, Drake University
  • Crew Scholars Faculty Member
  • Author, American Autobiography After 9/11
  • Author, The Cultural Works of Corporations
  • Co-editor, Un/Bound
“When I’m not reading, writing, or grading, I like to spend time with my family and dogs, walk around Des Moines, and watch very, very bad reality television.”
Dr. Megan Brown
Dean, Bright College