Dear colleagues,
I write to you with several updates on the implementation of our new School of Arts and Sciences. While I am mindful of the challenges and uncertainties in our external environment and all that you are carrying, I hope that our ongoing work in developing the new school brings a sense of hope and stability.
Our efforts to develop a new school are progressing according to the plan we decided on last fall. A strong Arts and Sciences requires a strong leadership team, and we are building that together. For instance:
- A selection committee is working to recommend finalists for the interim Dean of Undergraduate Education (PDF). The search process is well underway, and I hope to announce an appointment later this term.
- We are also launching a national search and assembling a search committee for a permanent Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs. There will be opportunities to share your thoughts about the desired qualities and qualifications of this critical role. I look forward to hearing your insights.
Overall, the Implementation Committee is firming up our timeline for organizational changes. You can see the membership of that committee—as well as a timeline of our efforts, updated FAQs, and all previous messages—on the Future of Arts and Sciences website. We anticipate initial organizational transitions to kick off this summer with the appointment of the Dean of Undergraduate Education and more coming in the fall.
This next academic year will be a transitional one, and some changes will not be finalized until the summer of 2026, when we will begin operating entirely under the new school. I will keep you updated on this process as it progresses and, in the interim period, we are creating opportunities for this new community to come together. Please consider joining us for one of the following community events:
- HR Coffee Chat – On Friday, May 9 at 9 a.m., bring your coffee and your questions about the implementation of the new school via Zoom.
- Wentworth Walk – On Thursday, May 22 at noon, all are invited to join a midday walk departing from Wentworth.
I look forward to seeing you there, just as I was thrilled to see the participation of more than 40 A&S faculty and staff in this year’s budget class. We plan to continue offering even more opportunities to gather over the summer.
As always, I remain available if you have questions or ideas on this transition. With all the external stressors, I am committed to doing everything I can to make this change feel smooth and comfortable. I am grateful to all of you for your dedication to collaboration and our mission.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or would like to meet.
All the best,
Nina Pavcnik
Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences