Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that I have asked Michele Dillon to serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective immediately, and that she has accepted my offer. As you know, she was nominated by her peers to serve in the interim role almost a year ago while we undertook a rigorous national search to fill the position. It became clear in this strong pool that Michele was the best candidate. We are lucky to have someone with her breadth of experience and strong advocacy for the liberal arts and humanities in our midst.
An excellent scholar and teacher with a deep commitment to our students and a passionate vision for the liberal arts, Michele has demonstrated an ability to leverage her experience and advocacy for the college in partnership with others. In her short time in the dean’s office, Michele has worked to expand study-abroad opportunities, supported the move of women’s studies to a department and become active in university-wide efforts to implement the president’s strategic initiatives.
A member of the sociology department for 18 years, Michele served as chair of the department for six years and as a faculty fellow in the office of the senior vice provost for engagement and faculty development. In that role, she has served as faculty chair of the university’s new faculty orientation program, chair of Pathway to Professorship and co-chair of the Writing Academy for faculty. She brings a strong intellectual curiosity to this role as well as a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
I would like to thank Jenni Cook and Jan Nisbet, co-chairs of the search committee, and the entire committee for bringing the search to a successful completion.
Please join me in congratulating Dean Dillon.
Wayne Jones
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
