Fadila Habchi GRD ’18 will serve as the interim dean of Branford College while Dean Sarah Insley is away on maternity leave.

Dean of Yale College Marvin Chun’s decision to appoint Habchi to her new position was announced on Friday by Head of Branford Enrique De La Cruz in an email to the Branford community. Habchi is working on a dissertation in the African American Studies and American Studies departments and specializes in the contemporary literature and culture of the African diaspora in Europe and the Caribbean. In his email, De La Cruz noted that Habchi’s research focuses on narratives of migration and cultural representations of urban space after decolonization. She also teaches the cinematic and literary exploration of cities in French and English texts.

“Interim Dean Habchi is highly regarded for the work she already does with undergraduates,” Chun told the News. “She’s well qualified to serve Branfordians, and I think they will be delighted to meet her.”

Habchi said that she is “absolutely thrilled to join the Branford community” and looks forward to working closely with her new students.

Insley and her husband Ozan Say’s new child, Evelyn Tamar Say, arrived on Jan. 3. In the email, De La Cruz said the Branford community is thrilled for Insley and her husband’s baby girl. He added that Branford has been fortunate to have an outstanding dean, and that “Fadila will undoubtedly uphold this tradition for our close-knit community.”

Habchi, who lived in Algeria and France with her family before moving to New York, earned her Bachelor of the Arts summa cum laude from the City College of New York with a major in English and a minor in French.

Britton O’Daly | britton.odaly@yale.edu

BRITTON O'DALY