Joseph Romero, Ph.D. Dean
- Faculty
Dr. Joseph Romero began his college journey fully expecting to follow in his father's footsteps and become a physician. While his love for Biology initially aligned with that path, a year of Chemistry revealed that, while he excelled academically, the medical profession wasn't the best fit for him personally or professionally. This realization led him to reflect deeply on his true passions.
Dr. Romero discovered he was someone who thrives on reading, writing, engaging in conversations and exploring ideas with people from all perspectives. Alongside this self-discovery, he uncovered a profound love for higher education—a place where curiosity and growth converge. This passion ultimately guided him to a fulfilling career as a professor, a role he cherished deeply.
Though he hadn't initially planned to step into academic administration, Dr. Romero's commitment to higher education and his desire to help students reach their full potential inspired him to embrace new challenges. Today, his journey serves as a testament to the power of finding one's true calling and the transformative impact of higher education on both individuals and communities.
A Conversation with Dr. Romero
What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?
East Texas A&M is a place where you can discover and fulfill your potential—academically, personally, and professionally. With a dedicated and innovative faculty and a thoughtfully designed network of support, you'll have everything you need to achieve your goals. Whether your passion lies in groundbreaking research, serving your community or contributing to the arts and cultural conversations, your journey will always be guided by a vision for life beyond the university. East Texas A&M is committed to being ready for you, supporting you every step of the way—from your first day on campus to your graduation and beyond.
What has been your favorite course to teach?
My favorite course to teach is still elementary languages, starting with the Greek or Latin alphabets and sound systems and proceeding to the most complex forms of verbal architecture even with a minimalistic vocabulary. It's a chance to see everything fresh, to think about a language—yours, anyone's—and how it shapes, constrains and gives life to our thoughts, hopes, fears. Languages are the air we breathe—we need to spend time figuring out what they do to it and what we can do with them.
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Philosophy, Classical Studies, Duke University, 1999
- B.A., Classics: Latin, Duke University, 1993
Awards and Honors
- Inaugural Leadership Fellow, Anchor Institutions Task Force, 2020-2022
- Fellow, American Council on Education, 2017-2018
Research Interests
- Higher Education
- Anchor Institutions
- Greek and Latin Poetry
- Reception of Greek and Latin Literature
Professional Organizations
- Society for Classical Studies
- Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
- Anchor Institutions Task Force
- American Council on Education
Selected Publications
- 2023. “Closing and Foreclosing an Eternal City: Rome Through the Ages.” Designing Environments: Layers, Scopes, and Closures. 18th Meeting of the International Association for the Study of Environment, Space and Place. Pforzheim, Germany. April 28.
- 2020. “Walking with the Cleopatra Ode (Hor. Carm.1.37, Then and Now,” Res Difficiles, the Conference I, May 15.
- 2020. “Anchor Institutions and a Challenge to Classics, Humanities, and Higher Education,” The Annual Meeting of the Society for Classical Studies, Washington, D.C., January 4.
- 2019. “From Atop a Lofty Wall: Philosophers and Philosophy in Greek Literary Epigram,” Eds. Chris Carey, Maria Kenellou, and Ivana Petrovic. Reading Greek Epigram from the Hellenistic to the Early Byzantine Era. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 288-304.
- 2014. “Folklore and Folktales,” The Virgil Encyclopedia. Eds. Richard F. Thomas and Jan M. Ziolkowski. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 494-495.