As of September 1, CAS welcomed two new associate deans of the faculty. Professor of Sociology Nancy Ammerman has been named associate dean for social sciences and Professor of Computer Science Stan Sclaroff became the first associate dean for mathematical & computational sciences, a new position created by Dean Cudd. A new associate dean for natural sciences will also be appointed soon.
Mathematical & Computational Sciences
The new division of mathematical & computational sciences encompasses three departments: mathematics & statistics, computer science, and economics. These disciplines have pioneered the digital revolution and exponential growth in our ability to gather, analyze, and store data. Today more than ever, they serve a central role in the intellectual work of other disciplines across the College, from the humanities to the social and natural sciences. The new associate dean position will enable College leadership to serve these three departments more effectively, while also allowing the associate deans of the social and natural sciences to focus their energies on a smaller number of departments.
Stan joined the Department of Computer Science in 1995 after completing his PhD at MIT. He received an NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award in 1996, and served as the chair of the Department of Computer Science from 2007-2013. Stan is an expert in the areas of tracking; video-based analysis of human motion and gesture; deformable shape matching and recognition; and image/video database indexing, retrieval, and data mining methods. He developed one of the first content-based image retrieval systems for the Internet, the ImageRover, years before Google Image Search appeared. His more recent work has focused on human tracking algorithms, the analysis and identification of hand motion related to sign language, and filtering methods for multimedia retrieval.
Social Sciences
Nancy replaces Strom Thacker, who served as associate dean for social sciences for five years and continues his dual role in CAS as professor of political science and professor of international relations in the Pardee School. Strom has made considerable contributions to CAS during his time as associate dean for social sciences. He played an integral part in the hiring of 43 new Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors; helped plan and define the mission of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies; and built fruitful connections to policymakers in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Office of Federal Relations.
Nancy joined the Department of Sociology and School of Theology faculty in 2003. Her research has focused on the social structures and practices of everyday lived religion. She has won major awards for her research and publications over the years. Her book, Pillars of Faith: American Congregations and their Partners (2005), won the Distinguished Book Award by the Religion Section of the American Sociological Association. Her 1992 book Baptist Battles: Social Change and Religious Conflict in the Southern Baptist Convention received the Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Nancy was the 2004-05 President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, the 2000-01 Chair of the Religion Section of the American Sociological Association, and the 1995-96 President of the Association for the Sociology of Religion.
Natural Sciences
A search is currently underway for a new associate dean of natural sciences. Geoffrey Cooper returns to his faculty role as professor of biology in CAS after five years as associate dean of natural sciences. Dean Cudd will serve as the contact dean for the natural sciences departments and programs until a replacement is identified.
Like Strom, Geof had an exceptional impact on CAS during his time as associate dean. Geof helped guide and facilitate the hiring of 32 Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors in the Natural Sciences and Mathematical & Computational Sciences. These hires include three new hires in neurobiology, part of a plan to advance and strengthen that program. During his time as Associate Dean, Geof worked closely with the Department of Chemistry to develop its post-doctoral faculty fellows program. During his tenure, innovative new Master’s programs were established.
Humanities
Gene Jarrett will continue on as associate dean for the humanities.
A reception will be held later in the semester to properly thank and honor Strom and Geof for their service.