The Semiotic Society of America (SSA) is the leading semiotics organization in North America and is guided by a board of officers and editors listed below. We are a transdisciplinary professional organization serving a diverse community of scholars with common interests in the study of signs and sign systems. Founded in 1975 and incorporated in 1976, the Society has supported innovative scholarship linking analytical and critical approaches to the transmodern world. Sign theories are relevant to the sciences, social sciences, and humanities alike — applying to disciplines as diverse as anthropology, biology, cognitive science, communication, cybernetics, fine arts, law, literary criticism, linguistics, logic, marketing, media studies, mathematics, pedagogy, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, and technology.
The SSA is responsible for the publication of The American Journal of Semiotics and hosts an Annual Conference featuring the latest research in the field of semiotics. Papers presented at the SSA Annual Conference are invited for review and publication in the SSA Yearbook series. Additionally, the SSA features two awards, the Sebeok Fellow Award for outstanding contributions to the field of semiotics and the Roberta Kevelson Award for best student paper presented at the SSA Annual Conference.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President
Farouk Y. Seif
Antioch University Seattle
Vice-President/President-Elect
Priscila Borges
University of Brasilia
Immediate Past President
Donna West
State University of New York at Cortland
Executive Director
Joseph DeChicchis
ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
Martin Macháček (2026)
Charles University, Prague
Brian Kemple (2027)
Independent Scholar
Elvira Katić (2027)
Ramapo College, NJ
Constantine Nakassis (2028)
University of Chicago
Paniel Reyes (2028)
Oblate School of Theolog
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NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Seema Khanwalkar (2026)
CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India
Garnet Butchart (2027)
Duquesne University
Massimo Leone (2028)
University of Turin
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2025 PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Priscila Borges (Chair)
University of Brasilia
Martin Macháček
Charles University, Prague
Tiago Da Costa E Silva
Independent Scholar
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THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SEMIOTICS (TJAS)
Editor
Geoffrey Owens
Assistant to Editors
Baranna Baker
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SSA YEARBOOK
Editor
Farouk Y. Seif
Antioch University Seattle
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Joseph DeChicchis
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SEBEOK FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
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PRESIDENTS OF THE SEMIOTIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Farouk Y. Seif ( (2026)
Donna West (2025)
Hongbing Yu (2024)
Michael Raposa (2023)
Ronald C. Arnett (2022)
Frank Macke (2020 SSA rescheduled for 2021)
Farouk Y. Seif (2019)
Deborah Eicher-Catt (2018)
Debbie Smith-Shank (2017)
Ted J. Baenziger (2016)
Marcel Danesi (2015)
Elliot Gaines (2014)
André De Tienne (2013)
Isaac Catt (2012)
Frank Nuessel (2011)
John Coletta (2010)
Thomas F. Broden (2009)
Robert Hatten (2008)
Nathan Houser (2007)
Joseph Brent (2006)
C. W. Spinks (2005)
C. W. Spinks (2004)
Vincent Colapietro (2003)
Paul Perron (2002)
John Deely (2001)
William Pencak (2000)
Floyd Merrell (1999)
Jean Umiker-Sebeok (1998)
Myrdene Anderson (1997)
Roberta Kevelson (1996)
Eugen Baer (1995)
Richard L. Lanigan (1994)
Michael Shapiro (David Savan*) (1993)
Nancy Armstrong (1992)
Linda Waugh (1991)
Robert Scholes (1990)
Bennetta Jules-Rosette (1989)
Jonathan Culler (1988)
Naomi S. Baron (1987)
Michael Riffaterre (1986)
Donald Preziosi (1985)
Thomas A. Sebeok (1984)
Irmengard Rauch (1983)
Harley C. Shands* (1982)
Richard Bauman (1981)
Allen Walker Read (1980)
Max H. Fisch (1979)
Thomas G. Winner (1978)
Eugen Baer (1977)
Henry Hiż (1976)
* David Savan passed away before taking office; Harley C. Shands passed away while in office.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF
THE SEMIOTIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA