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UC‘s College of Arts and Sciences taps innovative new leadership

Ryan J. White, Rina Williams selected as new divisional deans

headshot of Anne Bowling By Anne Bowling
5 minute read December 20, 2023

The College of Arts and Sciences has announced Ryan J. White and Rina Williams as the newest divisional deans of natural sciences and social sciences. 

White and Williams' inclusion will bring new focuses and structure around student success and the college of Arts and Sciences’ advancement. Both will officially begin their new terms on Jan. 1, 2024.

Meet the new divisional dean of natural sciences

“My vision for the Division of Natural Sciences in A&S is to continue to grow each unit as leading departments in the US by sustaining our current strengths in research and education, while cultivating our division’s culture of commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and student success,” said White.

Given his tenure as an educator in the department, White has had ample time to observe the strengths of the natural sciences division and areas of potential.

Incoming A&S Divisional Dean of Natural Sciences Ryan White

Incoming A&S divisional dean of natural sciences Ryan J. White. Credit/Beth Vleaminck

“If I could have two dream opportunities to kick off my time in this role, it would be the development of a creative incubator space to help launch innovative new research and training programs and to develop programs that holistically support student success in STEM disciplines,” said White.

However, this position was not always the forefront for White, and still remains secondary to his goal as an educator and innovator.

“Becoming a divisional dean was only peripherally in my vision early in Fall 2023. However, the opportunity to work with the college leadership was an opportunity that excited (and still excites) me,” he said. “The position also provides unique opportunities to think about ways that the natural sciences can interact and collaborate with the social sciences and humanities and provide holistic training and educational opportunities for our students and scholars.”

White is an Ohio Eminent Scholar and has served as the Head of Chemistry since Fall 2022 with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina in 2007, to then complete his education with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Utah in 2007. Following his NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship at UC Santa Barbara, he began teaching chemistry and biochemistry at UMBC in 2011. White made his way to UC in the fall of 2017.

Meet the new divisional dean of social sciences

“It is an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of serving as divisional dean for the social sciences at this particular juncture in time, which I believe is a critical one for the social sciences, for the College of Arts and Sciences, and for the University as a whole,” said Williams.

Williams plans to lead with a collaborative effort in her position, signifying the unifying mission of the study of social sciences; the telling of the world beyond immediate experiences. The department of social sciences has been nationally recognized for their work, but Williams pledges to figure out new ways to do more amazing work. These plans could include more co-op opportunities, expansion of online course offerings, and more.

A&S divisional dean of social sciences Rina Williams

Incoming A&S divisional dean of social sciences Rina Williams. Credit/Provided.

“I have ideas of my own, but I also want to take my cues from my colleagues, who are a reservoir of energy and fantastic ideas. Finally, I strongly believe all of this can and must be done in close collaboration with our colleagues in the humanities and natural sciences—so I want to advance and strengthen, wherever I can, College-wide efforts in all these areas.”

With her extensive research in the social sciences, Williams shows the qualities necessary of an inclusive and innovator leader for the social sciences. 

“The social sciences and the College as a whole can, and I believe must, be central to crafting the solutions and the path forward to a better, more civil and united future.”

Williams is an instructor in the School of Public and International Affairs, with appointments in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Asian Studies. Williams’ areas of specialization include South Asian politics, women and gender studies, and ethnicity with nationalism. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and political science from UC Irvine in 1987 and earned her PhD in political science from Harvard University in 1998.

Williams is also an author. Her first book, “Postcolonial Politics and Personal Laws: Colonial Legacies and the Indian State,” was published by the Oxford Press in 2006. Williams has an upcoming book as well, “Marginalized, Mobilized, Incorporated,” which will delve into the nuanced connections between women, gender, and religious nationalism in Indian politics.

Featured image at top: Aerial view of UC's uptown west campus. Credit/provided.

Headshot of By Serigne Thiam

By Serigne Thiam

Student Journalist, A&S Department of Marketing and Communication

artscinews@ucmail.uc.edu

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