The Moroccan novelist Laila Lalami, author of acclaimed books like Conditional Citizens and The Moor’s Account, has been named a distinguished professor at the University of California, Riverside where she teaches creative writing.

This a huge honor. The “Distinguished Professor” title is awarded to “Above Scale faculty who have achieved the highest levels of scholarship over the course of their careers.”

Lalami shared the news on Instagram: “Delighted to share that I’ve been promoted to Distinguished Professor, a rank that the University of California across its campuses  uses for faculty “who have achieved the highest levels of scholarship” and have earned “national and international distinctions and honors.”

Felicitations promptly poured in from fans and friends, including fellow Booker-nominee Maaza Mengiste, Tea Obreht, and Leila Aboulela. This honor is well-deserved. Lalami is a powerful force in the literary world, with 5 books and over 20 literary honors and awards.

Congrats to her for receiving such high honors. It gives us something to celebrate as we wait for her new book.

 

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Photo via Instagram.