Search begins for next dean of the College of the Arts and Media

Central Michigan University Provost and Executive Vice President Mary C. Schutten has appointed a search committee to assist in the national search for the next dean of the College of the Arts and Media. The new dean will replace Elizabeth Kirby, who has served as the interim dean since the retirement of Janet Hethorn in 2020.

Schutten has appointed Ray Christie, senior vice provost for academic administration, as the chair of the 13-member search committee, which is charged with providing valuable input in determining the selection of the next dean. Members of the committee are:

• Elizabeth Carlson, associate professor in the Department of Communication.
• Jeremy Davis, assistant professor in the Department of Art and Design.
• Trevor Diehl, assistant professor in the Department of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts.
• Brian Elder, chair of the Department of Art and Design.
• Richard Ren, associate professor in the Department of Journalism and member of the Integrative Public Relations Council.
• Jonathon Russell, associate dean of the College of the Arts and Media.
  
• Kristen Skiver, Human Resources Consultant
  
• Heather Trommer-Beardslee, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
• Eric Tucker, director of the School of Music.
• Tracy Watson, associate professor in the School of Music and the Department of Music Theatre.
• Sandra Wilson, manager of business operations in the College of the Arts and Media.
• Zulfia Zaher, assistant professor in the Department of Journalism.
  
• Erica Peters, executive assistant to the provost.

The search will be conducted over the course of the Fall 2021 semester and will be assisted by Greenwood/Asher & Associates.