Dear Tulane Community,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Lee Skinner, professor and Dean of Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC), will step down, effective Dec. 31, to assume the role of Dean of the College of the Pacific at the University of the Pacific. The Tulane community is sorry to see Lee go, but we are happy for her as she returns to her beloved California to begin this new chapter in her career.
Under Lee’s leadership, NTC experienced significant new growth and enhanced support of student success and quickly adapted academic programming and initiatives in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. During her time at Tulane, Lee oversaw the establishment of several student-focused offices, including the First-Year Experience Office, which oversees the First-Year Seminars (TIDES and COLQ), Orientation, the Reading Project and other programming for first-year students. She also expanded research opportunities for undergraduate students through the creation of the Office of Undergraduate Research and provided additional educational support through the Office of Academic Enrichment. Under Lee’s direction, NTC enhanced programming and added staff positions in the Center for Academic Equity and assisted with the Center for Academic Equity’s move into a new space in Richardson Hall.
Lee’s work included the creation of the Office of Fellowship Advising in 2021-22, which saw immediate results with 15 Tulane students receiving Fulbright awards in its first year, tying Tulane’s previous record set in 2017-18, as well as the first Udall Scholar for Tulane since 1997. In addition, she established the College Scholars program for sophomores.
Finally, through Lee’s leadership, NTC and its on-campus partners created the Tulane Learning Toolkit and the Zoom rooms for students, ensuring that teaching and learning would continue to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lee’s leadership and friendship will be sorely missed. At a later date, we will find an opportunity to celebrate her and her many contributions to Tulane. In the meantime, please join us in thanking her for her service and dedication to our university and wishing her much success in her future endeavors. We will begin a national search for this vital deanship soon.
Michael A. Fitts
President
Robin Forman
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
