Kerry S. Grant Named Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Graduate School at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Kerry S. Grant, dean of the University at Buffalo's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), has been named vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at UB, effective March 1.

The appointment of Grant, a respected music historian and nationally known administrator, was announced by UB Provost Elizabeth Capaldi.

Grant came to UB in 1991 as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters. In 1998, that academic unit was merged with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the Faculty of Social Sciences to form the College of Arts and Sciences.

As vice provost, Grant will be responsible for all curricular matters related to undergraduate and graduate programs and administering the Graduate School.

"Dean Grant is uniquely qualified for the position," said Capaldi. "He has extensive experience with both undergraduate and graduate education, strong academic values and is well known for his emphasis on the importance of students. I am delighted that we will benefit from his leadership in academic matters."

The appointment of an interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is expected to be announced soon.

As dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest academic unit at UB, Grant is responsible for overseeing 31 departments and a variety of interdisciplinary centers and research institutes, as well as the academic careers of more than 10,000 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students.

Among his accomplishments as dean of the former Faculty of Arts and Letters and CAS dean were integrating the staffs and functions of the three former faculties that made up the college into a single administrative structure supportive of teaching, research and service in the college, and the creation of faculty governance mechanisms associated with the appointment, promotion and tenure processes.

As dean of arts and letters, Grant was responsible for increases in research support; the expansion of language offerings, including the development of an Asian-language program; support for an international center for Polish studies, and the development and expansion of Korean studies. He also made significant advances in diversifying the faculty, bringing 13 outstanding minority scholars to the faculty in two years.

He participates in a State University of New York system-wide review of undergraduate general education.

In addition to service on numerous university and professional boards, Grant has served as a member and chair of the Erie County Cultural Resources Advisory Board, a member of the board of directors of the Arts Council of Buffalo and Erie County, and a member of the Cultural Leadership Group and Leadership Buffalo.

Prior to his appointment at UB, he served as director of the School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Grant is the author or editor of three books. His current book, "The Rainbow City," celebrates the centennial of the Pan American Exposition. Capturing the collaborative spirit of the Pan American Exposition, Grant worked with David Buck, senior vice president and creative director with Crowley Webb & Associates, and Canisius College Press. He is a frequent speaker and presenter at national meetings of higher-education associations. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of California at Irvine and a doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley.

Grant lives in Williamsville.