Dean of the College

About the Search

Provost Hill appointed a nine-member committee to lead a national search for W&L's next Dean of the College following Chawne Kimber's announcement to join Pitzer College as vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty in July 2025.

Job Description

Reporting to the provost, the dean of the college serves as the chief academic officer of the College and has primary responsibility for 21 academic departments and 13 interdisciplinary programs. The dean provides strategic leadership and oversight for College faculty, undergraduate curriculum, and financial resources. The dean manages the associate dean of academic affairs, associate dean of administrative affairs, associate dean of strategic initiatives, three executive assistants, and provides supervisory oversight for over 200 faculty members and 45 staff members. The dean also participates in faculty hiring for Physical Education/Athletics and the University Library. As the head of one of three academic units of the University, the dean works closely with the president, the provost, and the other academic deans to advance the goals of the University.

The official position specification is forthcoming. 

Search Committee

  • Chair, Paul Youngman - Associate Provost for Academic Development and Operations and Professor of German (Incoming Interim Dean of the College)
  • Mackenzie Brooks - Associate Professor and Digital Humanities Librarian
  • Caleb Dance - Associate Professor of Classics
  • Jenefer Davies - Professor and Head of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies
  • Melissa Kerin - Professor of Art History and Director of the Mudd Center for Ethics
  • Irina Mazilu - Parmly Professor of Physics
  • Gene McCabe - Associate Professor of Physical Education and Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance & Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
  • Eric Moffa - Associate Professor of Education
  • Sybil Prince Nelson - Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Data Science

The committee is supported by Ponneh Varho and Ana Almaraz of the executive search firm SpencerStuart.