As a follow up to the recent all-campus message sharing news of Emily’s forthcoming departure, I am writing an update on the Dean of the Faculty role and our plans for academic leadership in the year ahead.
Transitions at this level require thoughtful consideration, so I will not immediately open a search for a Dean of the Faculty. While we work together to determine next steps for the permanent role, I intend to hire an Interim Dean of the Faculty for the academic year 2026-27. The continuity of work Emily has been leading matters enormously right now, and I look forward to working alongside the interim dean and many of you to ensure continued momentum.
Why Interim and Why Now
We are navigating a genuinely consequential moment. Baker Tilly’s institutional review, which I will share more about in an all-campus message next week, has given us a clearer picture of where we need to be more deliberate in how we support faculty, how we assess academic programs, and how we align our resources with our priorities. At the same time, the external pressures on liberal arts higher education continue to demand that we make innovative decisions rather than historic ones.
In that context, moving directly into a permanent search without pausing to reflect on what we truly need in this role—and what you need from whoever holds it—would be the wrong move. Throughout this academic year, I will assess the future shape of this position as we work through the institutional review recommendations, respond to the realities of our sector, and align our spending with long-term sustainability. A search for a permanent appointment will follow, grounded in that work rather than preceding it.
Your Voice in Shaping This Role
Hiring for the permanent role is not a decision I intend to make without you.
The person in this role shapes how faculty are recruited, supported, developed, and heard—and that means you should have a meaningful voice in defining what we need next. I am committed to creating genuine opportunities for that conversation.
I will hold faculty office hours specifically to hear your perspectives on this position, including what has worked, what hasn’t, and what you believe the successful candidate needs to do well in the years ahead. I will also raise these questions at Faculty Insight Forums throughout the year. If you would find it useful to have me present for a conversation about academic leadership and what we’re building, please reach out, and we will make it happen.
This is not a listening exercise that precedes a decision I’ve already made. This is the work of leadership itself, and I want to do it with you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with questions.
Warmly,
