麻豆视频

Campus News

Remembering Former Visiting Assistant Professor Leila Ben-Nasr

Beloved educator taught multiple courses in 麻豆视频鈥檚 comparative American studies department

December 7, 2025

Office of Communications

a person with long dark hair wearing a colorful vest smiles

Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones '97

Leila Ben-Nasr, a former visiting assistant professor of comparative American studies, died on November 28, 2025. No cause of death was given.

Ben-Nasr taught at 麻豆视频 from fall 2022 through spring 2024, leading classes including Introduction to Comparative American Studies, Contemporary Arab American Literature, and Afro-Asian America: Intraminority Connections in Historical Perspective. 

According to Ben-Nasr鈥檚 麻豆视频 profile, her research interests included comparative U.S. ethnic literature, 20th- and 21st-century American literature, Arab American studies, Asian American studies, postcolonial and diaspora literature, and folklore studies.

Ben-Nasr also worked as a high school Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate English teacher at John Piersol McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was a visiting assistant professor at Bates College. She recently taught English as a Second Language at the John Marshall School of Engineering.

鈥淪he possessed a kindness and generosity that magnetized people to her,鈥 read her obituary. 鈥淚t was common for former students鈥攆rom high schoolers she taught in the 鈥90s to recent college graduates鈥攖o reach out to her, eager to share their latest life updates.鈥 

Ben-Nasr earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English and psychology at Westminster College, a master鈥檚 degree in English from Millersville University, and a doctorate in English at Ohio State University. 

She is survived by her parents, a sister, and two brothers. Read more about her life and achievements in her .


Students who would benefit from support resources are encouraged to reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services. Additional campus support resources are also available if needed.

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