2 deans take up new challenges

Two liberal arts deans have stepped down from their administrative posts in the School of Liberal Arts and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Leila Fawaz, dean of Humanities and Arts for the past five years, has returned to her teaching roots. Internationally known as a Middle East scholar, she holds a joint appointment as professor of history in the School of Liberal Arts and professor of diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Rob Hollister, dean of the Graduate School since 1996, is the new dean of the University College of Citizenship and Public Service.

During her deanship, Fawaz contributed to dozens of intellectually significant events, but among her accomplishments, the one she delights in most is that she has continued to teach. ÒIÕm very proud that in all of the past five years, IÕve taught two classes a year,Ó she said.

ÒShe was a true pleasure to work with, adding great humor and fun in a typical tough deanÕs day,Ó said her counterpart at the School of Engineering, Dean Ioannis Miaoulis.

ÒOne thing IÕm very happy about is the creation of connections with other schools,Ó Fawaz said. She mentioned H&AÕs involvement with the School of Medicine on a project concerning cultural issues in the treatment of patients; the cooperative efforts between the International Relations Program and the Fletcher School; H&AÕs links to the Museum School and the growth of the multimedia arts minor with the School of Engineering.

HollisterÕs contributions to the Graduate School have been substantial. Along with bolstering the reputation of A&S and advocating for the Graduate Student Council (GSC), he spearheaded an effort to review graduate school programs on a regular basis and implemented several student recognition events.

ÒSome of the accomplishments IÕm most proud of are transforming the Policy and Programs Committee into an active policy and planning group, making it really a faculty board for the Graduate School and helping develop a stronger shared vision for the role of graduate study in Arts & Sciences,Ó Hollister said. ÒWhen I started this job, I realized that many people at Tufts had only a limited understanding of the scale and the various functions of graduate programs. Because of this, I put a lot of effort into strategic planning and working with faculty representatives to develop a shared vision for the Graduate School.Ó

Hollister said he is excited about being dean of the University College of Citizenship and Public Service. ÒThere is such an urgent need in society for more effective citizen leadership. Personally, the challenge of education for active citizenship has been a focus of my career ever since I was in graduate school, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to follow through on my greatest professional passion.Ó