UC appoints interim dean to head College of Arts and Sciences
August 13, 2021
Professor of Physics Margaret Hanson has been appointed interim dean of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Sciences. Hanson’s appointment follows the move of former Dean Valerio Ferme to UC’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and took effect August 1. She will hold the post until August, 2023. Hanson’s role as Divisional Dean of Natural Sciences will be filled by Professor Emeritus of Geology Arnold Miller until a permanent appointment is made. Hanson plans to build on the college’s successes during Ferme’s term as dean, including: a record $21+ million in research funding; national and international recognition for faculty; increasing graduation rates; and strides forward in equity with the appointment of Associate Professor of Sociology, Littisha Bates as Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Partnerships for A&S. The leadership change takes place as the college—with the rest of the university—emerges from an unprecedented academic year, when the school was forced by the pandemic to pivot rapidly to a remote learning model. The college continues to face challenges posed by COVID-19 and its Delta variant.