Dean Searches Begin for Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Library

Posted August 27, 2019

Provost Rafael L. Bras has convened two separate search committees tasked with selecting new deans for the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the Georgia Tech Library.

Both supported by external search firms, the two searches will run concurrently, and will fill vacancies left by Dean Jacqueline Royster and Dean Catherine Murray-Rust, respectively. John Tone, professor in the School of History and Sociology and associate dean of undergraduate studies, was named interim dean of the Ivan Allen College in April and will continue to serve until the post is filled. Dean Murray- Rust will serve until July 31, 2020, allowing her to focus on successful completion of the Library Next project, library resource development, and fundraising. To facilitate that effort, Leslie Sharp, associate vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development is currently serving in the role of interim CEO until the search is completed.

The search for the new dean of the Ivan Allen College will be chaired by Bonnie Ferri, vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development and professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Jason Freeman, professor and chair in the School of Music, will lead the search for the new dean of the Georgia Tech Library. Michael Toney, director of Academic Administration, will serve as administrative lead for both searches.

“Deans Royster and Murray-Rust have spearheaded transformations that firmly place the Ivan Allen College and the Library among the best institutions of scholarship and innovation,” Bras said. “We are looking for visionary leaders who can continue to push boundaries and bring us to yet new levels of excellence. I encourage our faculty, staff, and students to participate and get engaged in the search for these new leaders.”

Two town halls for faculty, staff, and students to learn about the respective search processes and timelines, and to provide feedback on the characteristics of ideal candidates have been scheduled as follows:

• Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts: Thursday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m.
• Library: Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m.

Both town halls will be held in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, Room 152.

Nominations for both positions can be sent to provostsoffice@gatech.edu. Application links for each search will be provided once details are finalized. Details on the selection of search firms will be made available on the search sites below in the coming weeks.

Search committee rosters and ongoing search updates can be found at http://provost.gatech.edu/ivan-allen-college-liberal-arts-dean-search and http://provost.gatech.edu/library-dean-search.