The transition to our divisional structure pilot is moving forward. Thank you to everyone who has participated in discussions and provided feedback on a variety of aspects with this pilot. We have a lot of updates to share this month, including updates to the college bylaws and search information for divisional dean and associate dean candidates.
Updated College Bylaws
We have updated the college bylaws to implement the divisional structure pilot and reflect recent developments in the college. The updates were approved by the voting faculty of the college on April 27, after three open forum sessions to discuss the proposed changes. Thank you to everyone who participated in the process. You can read the updated set of college bylaws on the college website.
Divisional Dean Searches
In the divisional structure pilot, divisional deans will be responsible for leading and managing the academic units within their division in collaboration with department heads. This week, four candidates for divisional dean positions shared their thoughts in open forum sessions.
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Divisional Dean Candidates
- Kate Grzywacz-Jones, Professor and Associate Head, Department of Physics & Astronomy
- Larry McKay, Professor, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences; Associate Dean for Research & Facilities, College of Arts & Sciences
Arts and Humanities Divisional Dean Candidate
- Beauvais Lyons, Professor, School of Art
Social Sciences Divisional Dean Candidate
- Patrick Grzanka, Professor, Department of Psychology; Chair of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Interdisciplinary Program
Read more about each candidate, the responsibilities of divisional deans, and the search committee members on the college website. The divisional dean positions remain open and consideration of applicants will continue until the positions are filled.
Associate Dean Searches
We announced in the April edition of Dialogue that Todd Moore, Brendan McConville, and Angie Batey are leaving their positions as associate deans for the college this summer. Angie and Brendan are joining the new College of Music leadership team while Todd is returning to the psychology department to resume teaching and research. Additionally, duties for the associate dean for research and facilities will be split into two positions, one focusing on space and infrastructure, and one focusing on research and creative activity.
Searches are underway for the associate dean for academic programs and the associate dean for research and creative activity. Candidates for the associate dean for academic programs position shared their thoughts with faculty this week:
- David Jenkins, Ziegler Professor, Department of Chemistry
- Liem Tran, Professor and Associate Head, Department of Geography and Sustainability
Learn more about each candidate online.
Candidates for the position of associate dean for research and creative activity will interview next week. More information about the candidates and engagement opportunities for faculty and staff is available online.
- Michael Blum, Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Vasileios Maroulas, Professor, Department of Mathematics
We will launch our divisional structure pilot in just under six weeks. I am excited about the opportunities we have over the next two years to discover strengths of the divisional pilot and manage the challenges we will face. It is an exciting time for our college and I am grateful for the support of faculty and staff as I prepare to take the reins from Dean Lee. If you have any questions, please email me at rhinde@utk.edu.
Sincerely,
RJ Hinde
Professor of Chemistry
Interim Executive Dean
College of Arts and Sciences