New Roles, New Opportunities
Kate Jones, natural sciences and mathematics divisional dean and professor of physics, is excited and honored to be part of the transition.
“I think the new divisional structure will provide more support for our departments, which are the lifeblood of the university. The addition of three divisional deans to the college leadership team means we will have more bandwidth to deal with issues and respond to opportunities as they arise.”
Patrick Grzanka, social sciences divisional dean and professor of psychology, agrees with Jones and wants to leverage the pilot structure to facilitate interdepartmental collaboration better; remove barriers to innovative teaching, training, and scholarship; and to communicate our values unequivocally to stakeholders on campus and beyond.
“One of the reasons I was most excited about this opportunity is the chance to help ensure that everyone in the social sciences division, from the traditionally trained social scientists to the biologists and humanists, see themselves reflected in the mission and aims of the division and the college more broadly.”
Beauvais Lyons, arts and humanities divisional dean and Chancellor’s Professor in Art (printmaking), looks forward to working within the arts and humanities division to elevate the larger intellectual and scholarly mission of the college.
“Faculty in the arts and humanities know our creative work and scholarship often provides contexts for understanding contemporary society, culture, belief, and history.”
Lyons thinks the divisional structure pilot provides an opportunity for divisional deans to know each faculty in their division and believes advocating for faculty is central to the work he and his colleagues will do as divisional deans.
“I think all three of us are committed to seeing the divisional structure as a way to intentionally foster connections across the divisions. In our college we have always encouraged these kinds of collaborations, but the divisional deans can work to encourage more intentional disciplinary hybridity, including joint faculty appointments or team teaching that draws out connections between disciplinary expertise.”
Grzanka pointed out that development of a college-wide strategic multi-year faculty hiring plan gives college leadership the chance to capitalize on synergies Lyons mentions, which may not have been realized before the divisional structure.
“When I applied for this position, I wrote that the term ‘division’ connotes a semantic division that need not hinder our current and future commitments to transdisciplinarity. As a fundamentally interdisciplinary scholar myself, one of my biggest goals for the pilot is that after three years we see our 21 departments and three divisions as just part of the story of our college. If we do our job right, the thing linking us will be our aspirations to world-changing knowledge and unparalleled training in the liberal arts and sciences.”
Jones emphasizes the critical role divisional deans can play in identifying interdisciplinary opportunities because they can be closer to faculty in the departments than a single dean.
“Understanding the breadth of research and creative activity in the divisions can help us spot commonalities that otherwise might be overlooked. We also understand that most connections come from faculty members themselves and we are facilitators, where needed. Being part of forming new connections across disciplines and divisions will be exciting.”
Grzanka notes that his division of social sciences, as well as the entire college, is “wildly interdisciplinary” and sees that as an incredible strength.
“Our divisional structure pilot will be successful if it serves the interests of faculty, staff, and students better, and if it makes everyone in the college feel included and supported in their intellectual and professional endeavors.”
If you have feedback on their conversation, please feel free to reach out. Next month, we will share Part 2 of this conversation about faculty recruiting, retention, and support, as well as research and creative activity endeavors in the college.
