Dr. Megan Sweeney

Professor

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Biography

Megan Sweeney is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She obtained her B.A. from Northwestern University in 1989 and her Ph.D. from Duke University in 2002. Her research and publications encompass a range of topics including African American literature, reading, incarceration, and autotheory. Notable works include her award-winning monograph, "Reading Window: Books Art Reading Women’s Prisons" (2010), the edited collection "Story Women Prisoners Reflect Reading" (2012), and her recent collection of lyric essays titled "Mendings" (2023). With a strong commitment to teaching, Sweeney has been recognized with multiple awards including the Faculty Recognition Award in 2025 and the John D'Arms Award for Distinguished Graduate Mentoring in Humanities in 2021. She currently serves as Chair of the department, contributing to a vibrant academic community that emphasizes the importance of literature in understanding complex social issues.

Research Interests

Experience

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor

— Present

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Teaching and research in the Department of English Language and Literature, focusing on African American literature and the intersection with social issues.

Awards

#2025

Faculty Recognition Award

#2021

John D'Arms Award for Distinguished Graduate Mentoring

#2010

Class 1923 Memorial Teaching Award

#2014

Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science