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We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jonathan Brower as the new Postdoctoral Associate at the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center (LACS) and The Graduate School (TGS)!

Dr. Brower is a historian of Haiti and French colonialism whose work examines how postrevolutionary political leaders used gendered discourse to shape ideas about citizenship, power, and nationhood in 19th-century Haiti. He earned his Ph.D. in History with a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the University of Maryland in 2022. His current research explores how Haitian political elites employed familial language and gendered metaphors to convey their visions of the nation, citizenship, and authority in the years following independence.

Dr. Brower’s connection to LACS runs deep. As a graduate student, he helped establish and lead both the LACS Graduate Writing Group and the LACS Dissertation Support Group, creating vital spaces for mentorship and scholarly development. He also worked closely with undergraduates in the LACS Capstone course, supporting interdisciplinary research on Latin America and Latinx communities in the U.S. Most recently, he has led Café con LACS, a weekly graduate writing group that fosters community and collaboration in scholarly endeavors.

Beyond his research, Dr. Brower brings a deep commitment to graduate student success. As president of the History Graduate Student Association, he organized professional development workshops, co-founded the HGSA Colloquium on Teaching, and advocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion within and beyond his department. His extensive experience mentoring students, especially through writing groups and interdisciplinary research, aligns with TGS’s mission to support graduate students across disciplines and backgrounds. In this role, he will collaborate with TGS to expand professional development programming and introduce graduate students to a range of post-degree career paths.

As Postdoctoral Associate, Dr. Brower will help strengthen LACS’s interdisciplinary curriculum and research community. He will teach core undergraduate courses—including LACS234, LACS235 and LACS458—and support graduate students through advising and programming with TGS. His leadership, student-centered approach, and commitment to promoting and advocating for an inclusive, anti-racist pedagogy will be a tremendous asset to both LACS and TGS.