Positioning the College of Arts and Sciences for long-term success
Provost Jesse Perez Mendez provides an update on the interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences search.
Dear colleagues,
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding the leadership transition in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Over the past several weeks, we have explored an internal search for an interim dean. After careful consideration, I have decided to engage an external organization that specializes in identifying experienced interim leadership candidates from outside the university.
This change in approach reflects my ongoing assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing the college of Arts and Sciences and, quite frankly, the broader higher education landscape. Arts and Sciences is navigating a period of significant change amid evolving enrollment patterns, workforce expectations and increasing financial pressures. I believe the college would benefit from an interim leader with substantial experience guiding academic units through periods of complex organizational and financial change. This will help position the college for long-term success while laying the groundwork for a successful national search for a permanent dean.
The current search committee will continue its service and assist in the review and recommendation of interim candidates identified in partnership with the external organization.
To provide the search committee with the time needed to thoughtfully evaluate interim candidates identified through the search process, and to ensure continuity of leadership, I will serve as acting dean effective July 1. My intent is not to serve in that capacity for an extended period, only until our interim dean is identified and onboarded.
Additional information regarding the interim appointment and the timeline for the permanent dean search will be shared as it becomes available.
The College of Arts and Sciences serves the breadth of our university in many ways — and I am committed to ensuring the college has the leadership and support it needs to thrive during this period of transition and opportunity.
Go 'Cats!
Jesse Perez Mendez
Provost and executive vice president