Jeffrey Wright, Ph.D.
Dean / Associate Professor of Musicology
Dean / Associate Professor of Musicology
Dr. Jeffrey Wright serves as Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University. He holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from DePauw University (2005) and an M.A. (2008) and Ph.D. (2010) in Musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Before beginning his tenure as Dean in January 2025, Dr. Wright served as Department Head of Music and Performing Arts at Southeastern from 2018–2024 and as Chair of the Department of Music at Indiana University South Bend from 2012–2018. In these roles, he led curricular development, advanced student and faculty success initiatives, and guided programs through major accreditation and review processes.
Dr. Wright’s leadership is rooted in the values of excellence and connection—pursuing high academic standards while fostering meaningful collaboration across departments, disciplines, and the broader community. He remains active nationally through the National Association of Schools of Music, where he serves as a Visiting Evaluator.
A musicologist specializing in 20th-century American music, Dr. Wright has published on composer Samuel Barber and developed Southeastern’s first History of Rock and Roll course. His scholarly and administrative work reflect a commitment to innovation, interdisciplinarity, and expanding access to the arts and humanities for students and the region.