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What is called the imagination (from image, magi, magic, magician, etc.) is a practical vector from the soul. It stores all data, and can be called on to solve all our “problems.” The imagination is the projection of ourselves past our sense of ourselves as “things.” Imagination (image) is all possibility, because from the image, the initial circumscribed energy, any use (idea) is possible. And so begins that image’s use in the world. Possibility is what moves us.
—Amiri Baraka, “The Revolutionary Theatre”, Liberator, July 1965
Michelle Stephens
Michelle Ann Stephens serves on the faculty of both the English and the Latino and Caribbean Studies departments, teaching courses in American, African American, black diaspora, and Caribbean literature and culture. At Rutgers since 2011, she has served as chair, interim associate undergraduate director, and associate graduate director for English and as undergraduate director in Latino and Caribbean Studies. As Area Dean, she works with department chairs in the Humanities and the Executive Dean to assist with hiring and promotion of faculty, maintain oversight of undergraduate and graduate instruction within departments and programs, and work with faculty and chairs to promote professional and departmental development. She also participates in the strategic planning and decision-making process of the School of Arts and Sciences providing recommendations and assistance to the Executive Dean.
Rutgers University