Search launches for next LAS dean

Iowa State has launched the search for its next dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). The successful candidate will succeed Beate Schmittmann, who last month announced her retirement at the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

The search process will begin with the nomination of high-quality candidates, followed by a review of applications, and interviews with semifinalist and finalist candidates. Parker Executive Search will assist the committee throughout the process.

"The dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a critical, high-profile position that impacts every student on campus," said senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert. "We are looking for a visionary leader who will build on Dean Schmittmann's work over the last 10 years and take the college to even higher levels."

Sam Easterling, James and Katherine Melsa Dean of Engineering; and Dawn Bratsch-Prince, associate provost for faculty; will co-chair the search. Other members of the search committee are:

  • Tunde Adeleke, University Professor, history
  • Amy Andreotti, University Professor, Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology
  • Steve Butler, Morrill Professor, mathematics
  • Brad Dell, associate professor and chair, music and theatre
  • Tracy Lucht, associate professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
  • Jennifer Owens, director, LAS student services
  • David Peterson, professor, political science, and chair of the Faculty Senate LAS caucus
  • Judy Ralston-Hansen, LAS Dean's advisory committee
  • Donald Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor, genetics, development and cell biology
  • Karen Scheel, teaching professor, psychology
  • Matthew Sivils, professor, English, and director of the Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities
  • Levi Stanley, associate professor, chemistry, and chair of the LAS representative assembly
  • Julie Wilhelm, associate teaching professor, world languages and cultures
  • Zhengyuan Zhu, professor, statistics, and director of the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology

Representatives from Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate will be added to the committee in the coming weeks.

Members of the campus community are encouraged to submit nominations of talented candidates to any member of the search committee.