National Search Launching for New A&S Dean

Following the University's recent announcement of Arts & Science Dean Ian Baucom’s new appointment as executive vice president and provost for UVA, outgoing Provost Liz Magill (selected to serve as the next president of the University of Pennsylvania) offered updates this week on the search for the next Buckner W. Clay Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.  

Sarah Kucenas, professor of biology and director of the Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, will join Baucom in co-chairing the national search for his successor. The University's Executive Search Group (ESG), which has worked on most of the recent dean searches at the University, as well as many other searches on Grounds, will assist them. It has begun background research and is developing a search timeline. Psychology professor David Hill, an experienced former department chair and associate dean, will serve as interim dean of the College.

As a first step in the search process, UVA is inviting the input of A&S faculty and staff. Specifically, the University is eager to hear from faculty and staff about the attributes and experiences you believe it should seek in the school’s next dean and the opportunities and challenges you see coming for the College and Graduate School.   

To facilitate this information gathering and exchange of ideas, Kucenas will hold individual listening sessions with a cross-section of faculty and staff. In addition, the University will host several town halls open to faculty, staff and students. Finally, all community members will be invited to provide ideas through a confidential online portal. More information about these opportunities will be shared soon.  

Story credit: INSIDE A&S Jan. 26, 2022 edition. News for the faculty and staff of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences