Rita Nakashima Brock, assistant professor of Religion at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. will head the Mary Ingraham Bunting institute Beginning this Fall.

Brock will replace former director Florence C. Ladd who retired this June.

Brock has a "long and distinguished background in women's studies and theology," according to Lyn Chamberlin, director of communications at Radcliffe.

Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson lauded Brock's "intellect, leadership qualities, community-building capacity, warmth and commitment to the mission of Radcliffe and the Bunting Institute."

Brock has taught religion, philosophy and women's studies at Scripps College, Valparaiso University and Stephens College and has published two books: Journeys by Heart: A Christology of Erotic Power and Casting Stones: Prostitution and Liberation in Asia and the United States.

Brock also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion.