University of Cincinnati names new dean for College of Arts & Sciences

James Mack, PhD, will lead the university’s largest college

By Michele Ralston Email Michele

4 minute read April 25, 2023

University of Cincinnati Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Valerio Ferme, PhD, today announced that James Mack, PhD, will serve as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, pending approval by the UC Board of Trustees.

Mack will begin his decanal role July 1, 2023. He currently serves as the divisional dean of Natural Sciences in A&S and has held multiple leadership roles since joining the university in 2003.

“Throughout his career James Mack has put students first, focusing on their success in both learning and research,” says Ferme. “Because of his passion for our students and the continued growth of UC’s inclusive excellence coupled with his administrative leadership experience, I am confident James will carry on the impressive growth of the College of Arts & Sciences.”

A&S is the University of Cincinnati’s largest and most diverse college, providing a liberal arts education to more than 7,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. During academic year 2022-23, the number of students confirming to A&S was up 16.5%. From summer 2021 through Spring 2022, the college conferred 1,763 undergraduate degrees alone, in subjects from classics to chemistry and
English to environmental studies.

The college offers broad opportunities to its diverse student population, from research with award-winning faculty to study abroad and co-op/internship positions to increase their employment options upon graduation.

The intellectual diversity of A&S positions the college to teach and graduate leaders who can enact positive change within our university community, the city of Cincinnati and society. I am excited for the opportunity

James Mack, PhD, UC College of Arts and Sciences

“I look forward to continuing to build on the strong academic foundation in A&S and am humbled to lead a college that is diverse in its people and disciplines,” says Mack. “The intellectual diversity of A&S positions the college to teach and graduate leaders who can enact positive change within our university community, the city of Cincinnati and society. I am excited for the opportunity.”

Mack began his UC career as assistant professor in Chemistry, was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2009 and promoted to professor in 2016. Prior to his current role as division dean, Mack served as the associate dean of UC’s Graduate College (formerly known as the Graduate School) where he was responsible for developing strategic initiatives and working with key partners to reduce the length of time required to earn a degree and increase the graduation rates of graduate students. Mack also served in leadership roles in the Department of Chemistry as assistant head and graduate program director.

Mack’s research focuses on developing sustainable methods for conducting chemical reactions and has been featured in the New York Times, Chemical & Engineering News and Chemistry and Industry. He has been awarded over $2 million in research support and was recognized by the Royal Society of Chemistry as one of the top 5% of cited authors in 2019 and 2020.

In addition to his research accomplishments, Mack has been recognized for his mentorship and service by both graduate and undergraduate students and for his efforts to advance inclusive excellence at UC.

Since its beginnings in 1819, the College of Arts & Sciences has grown to become the mainstay of an urban, thriving Research 1 university with more than 400 faculty, offering 70+ degree programs in natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities.

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