The Role of a Dean's Office

The College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office explained.

Because of our easily accessible location on the northwest side of Clark C, we in the dean’s office, get a lot of different questions. From "When is commencement?" to "Where is Clark B?".

Our front office staff are happy to answer all of the questions, but we do more than direct people to where they want to go. The dean’s office facilitates the functions and goals of the College at large.

The primary role of the dean’s office is to direct a 21st century liberal arts education through learning, scholarship, and engagement.

To accomplish that, the dean's office:

Provides strategic direction
to the departments and units
within the College

Supports the College's
people and programs

Assists in the daily
function of the College

The core activities of the dean's office

ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS

Learning, scholarship, and engagement in the classroom and beyond.

STUDENT SUCCESS
OPERATIONS
IMPACT

The dean's office leadership team

Kjerstin Thorson

Dean

is responsible for:

  • Strategic direction of the college
  • Oversight of departments and units
  • Leads Council of Chairs

Ryan Claycomb

Senior Associate Dean

is responsible for:

  • Strategic initiatives
  • Salaries, retention, and grievance/conflict
  • Chair leadership development
  • Facilities and spaces
  • Culture and climate strategy

Elissa Braunstein

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs

is responsible for:

  • Grants and funding
  • Graduate academic programs
  • Graduate student issues
  • Research and artistry tracking, representation, and committee work
  • Leads Graduate Coordinators Council and Graduate Student Council

Elinor Light

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Student Success

is responsible for:

  • Undergraduate academic programs
  • Student success
  • Career education
  • Undergraduate recruitment
  • Academic Support Center
  • Leads Undergraduate Coordinators Council, Curriculum Committee, and NTTF Advisory Committee

Roze Hentschell

Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

is responsible for:

  • Annual review
  • Interfolio
  • Tenure and promotion
  • Hiring
  • Faculty development

Rosa Mikeal Martey

Director of Faculty Retention and Success

is responsible for:

  • Faculty development and support
  • Department culture and climate
  • Open Door Pedagogy Network
  • CLA Committee for Equity Advocacy
See the rest of the Dean's Office Staff

strategize  •  assist  •  facilitate •  guide  •   organize  •  recruit  •  coordinate  •  implement  •   lead  •  teach  •  support  •  advise  •  fix   •  communicate

FAQs

If you need assistance or support, please contact us.

Click the + to see the contact person.