Memorandum October 6, 2021
- To:
- AU Faculty and Staff
- From:
- Peter Starr, Provost and Chief Academic Officer
- Subject:
- Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Search Update
I am writing to announce the reopening of the search for American University’s next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. I am pleased to report that most members of the search committee appointed during the last academic year have agreed to continue their service. Many thanks to these colleagues, whose names and titles are listed below. I would also like to express my appreciation to David Haaga for once again assuming the role of committee chair.
AY2021–2022 CAS Dean Search Committee Members:
- David Haaga (Chair)
- Professor, Department of Psychology
- Robert A. Blecker
- Professor, Department of Economics
- Ernesto Castañeda
- Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
- Elizabeth Harless
- Assistant Dean of Development, CAS, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
- Nathan Harshman
- Professor, Department of Physics
- Eric Leal
- Associate Dean for Budget and Administration, College of Arts and Sciences
- Nabina Liebow
- Professorial Lecturer, Department of Philosophy and Religion & Director, CAS LEAD Program
- Dolen Perkins-Valdez
- Associate Professor, Department of Literature
- Luis Silva
- Associate Professor, Department of Art
- Stacey Snelling
- Professor and Chair, Department of Health Studies
- Lauren Tabbara
- Director, Graduate Academic Programs, College of Arts and Sciences
- Kathryn Walters-Conte
- Director for STEM Partnerships and Innovation, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jessica Waters
- Dean of Undergraduate Education and Vice Provost for Academic Student Services
- Shouzhong Zou
- Professor, Department of Chemistry
As before, Jim Sirianni of the firm Storbeck Search and Sara Biggs of the Office of the Provost will assist us in filling this important deanship. We very much look forward to involving additional members of the AU community in the search as it progresses.
I am deeply grateful to Max Paul Friedman for his ongoing service as CAS interim dean, a role that he has held since July 2020. Max’s dedication to CAS and to AU is unmatched. As we have returned to in-person activities this semester, his steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge have been essential to our success. Max is a thoughtful and collaborative colleague who has made significant contributions to our Deans’ Council and President’s Council throughout his tenure. He has overseen the launch of the CAS Antiracist Curriculum Development Initiative, the opening of our new Hall of Science, and development of the AU Virtual Tutoring Corps, among many other initiatives. Please join me in thanking Dean Friedman for this important work.
We will share periodic updates with the community as the search unfolds. Once the position is posted, please feel free to reach out to strong prospective candidates to let them know about this opportunity and encourage them to apply. Do not hesitate to be in touch with Sara Biggs (sbiggs@american.edu) if you have any questions.