Shakespeare Association Moves Headquarters to Alabama Campus

The Shakespeare Association of America (SAA), the nation’s leading professional organization dedicated to the study of Shakespeare, will soon call The University of Alabama its home. Guiding this transition is Dr. Tricia McElroy, associate professor in the department of English, who has been named the association’s new executive director.

Since its founding in 1972, the SAA has been hosted by only a select few institutions. Bringing its headquarters to The University of Alabama reflects both substantial institutional backing and a strong commitment to the opportunities it creates for UA students.

“This appointment is deeply gratifying for me, as it requires my expertise as both a scholar and an administrator,” McElroy said.

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According to the press release, “The SAA annual meeting hosts about 1,000 attendees each year for panel discussions and seminars on Shakespeare’s life and culture. As executive director, McElroy will manage the day-to-day operations of the SAA and coordinate all aspects of its annual conference.”

By welcoming the SAA’s home offices, The University of Alabama strengthens its presence in early modern studies while opening new doors for student engagement. In collaboration with the Department of English, McElory is also developing undergraduate internship opportunities with the SAA.

“Our graduate students in the Strode program will have the extraordinary opportunity to participate in the SAA annual meeting as well as assist with its organization,” she said. “They will meet with the most prominent researchers in the fields of Shakespeare and Renaissance studies and gain organizational skills that can be transferred beyond the academy.”