Albert Kipa is Muhlenberg's first Professor Laureate and former Head of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (1989-1993; 1997-2004). He teaches courses devoted to German, Russian, and world literature. He specializes in Germano-Slavic literary and cultural relations and is the author or co-author of studies (books, articles) and reviews in his field. He has been the recipient of Fulbright, NEH and IREX grants, as well as Goethe Institute/AATG, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and the Ukrainian Free University’s merit awards. From 1980 to 1982 he served on a National Advisory Council to the U.S. Department of Education. Currently he serves as president of The Ukrainian Academy of Arts & Sciences in the U.S. and is a Fellow of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine.