Dickinson College Faculty Recognizes Interdisciplinary Professor with Highest Teaching Honor
Chair of Middle East Studies and Associate Professor of French & Francophone and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies Mireille Rebeiz. Photo by Dan Loh.
'A professor who takes their students' growth and development seriously'
by Craig Layne
Dickinson College’s faculty recently selected Chair of Middle East Studies and Associate Professor of French & Francophone Studies and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Mireille Rebeiz for this year’s Dickinson Award for Distinguished Teaching. Determined each academic year by a faculty vote and approved by the president, it is the college’s highest teaching honor.
“We have here a professor who takes their students’ growth and development seriously, who teaches in engaging ways about interesting topics, and who changes lives by helping to change perspectives,” Provost & Dean of the College Renée Ann Cramer said as she announced Rebeiz’s award during the academic year’s final faculty meeting.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by my amazing and talented colleagues,” said Rebeiz. “In this dark hour where higher education is under attack, this award reaffirms my sense of belonging to Dickinson, an institution in which I see my values honored and protected.”
Cramer also lauded Rebeiz’s ability to encourage multiple perspectives and diverse viewpoints during classroom discussions.
Reflecting on her students’ comments about seeing issues from new angles, Rebeiz said it reminded her of the famous Lebanese American writer and poet Gibran Khalil Gibran, who wrote “if [the teacher] is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.”
“This award reinforced my belief in this teaching philosophy and my commitment to my students,” Rebeiz explained. “And it is so fulfilling to see them grow, use the tools I provide them with, go out in this world, and make a difference.”
Rebeiz’s teaching and research are interdisciplinary and focus on the intersectionality of law, gender, sexuality, oral history and trauma in the context of armed conflicts with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa. She’s the author of two books and numerous peer-reviewed essays and editorials in national and international media outlets. Recently, she has been exploring the stories of Lebanese, French and Americans impacted by the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which killed 241 American servicemembers and 58 French parachutists. Rebeiz also serves as an adjunct professor of law at Penn State Dickinson Law.
Rebeiz earned a bachelor’s degree at Université Saint-Joseph Jésuite in her native Lebanon. She also earned a master’s degree from Université de Rouen, France, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. Additionally, Rebeiz holds an SJD in international law from Penn State Dickinson Law.
The Dickinson Award for Distinguished Teaching is supported by a permanent endowment funded by gifts from senior administrators.
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Published June 6, 2025