Search Committee: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Published January 6, 2016 This content is archived.

Colleagues:

I am pleased to report that the international search for the next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is underway. Robert G. Shibley, Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, and Diana Aga, Henry M. Woodburn Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Chemistry, will co-chair the search committee.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit on campus, spanning the full range of the liberal arts. Accordingly, the search committee for the next dean includes faculty members representing departments across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences, as well as staff, students, and community members with relevant interests and experience.

Under the leadership of Dean Shibley and Professor Aga and with the support of the search committee, I am confident that our search for the next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will result in the appointment of an outstanding academic leader for this significant university leadership position. In addition to Dean Shibley and Professor Aga, members of the search committee include:

  • Jonathan Golove, Associate Professor, Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies, Music
  • Andrea Markelz, Professor, Physics
  • Brenda L. Moore, Associate Professor, Sociology
  • Krishna Rajan, Erich Bloch Endowed Chair and Professor, Materials Design and Innovation
  • Peter A. Rogerson, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Geography
  • Kristin Tjaden, Professor and Director of Admissions, Communicative Disorders and Sciences
  • Jason Young, Associate Professor, History
  • Ewa P. Ziarek, Julian Park Professor, Comparative Literature
  • Christopher Atkinson, President, Graduate Student Association and PhD Student, American Studies
  • Milton J. Ezrati, Partner, Senior Economist and Marketing Strategist (retired), Lord, Abbett & Co. and Member, Dean’s Advisory Council, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graham L. Hammill, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School and Professor, English
  • Kathleen S. Heckman, Assistant Vice President for Operations, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

I am grateful to Dean Shibley, Professor Aga, and the members of the search committee members for their work in helping to identify the new dean. We have secured the services of Dr. Jett Pihakis, Executive Director of the education, diversity and not-for-profit practices at Russell Reynolds Associates to assist the search committee. Dr. Pihakis has experience in recruiting leaders to UB at the cabinet, decanal and department chair levels. With his considerable knowledge of the university and it strengths, he serves as an effective advocate for us in the recruitment process.

The search committee and search firm will begin their work this month with the goal of completing the search process by July 1. Throughout the coming months, Dean Shibley and Professor Aga will update the university community regarding the committee’s progress and advise community members of how they can participate in the search process. Information will also be available on the search website (no longer available).

Sincerely,

 

Charles F. Zukoski                                                                                        Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs