Christopher Mead, professor of architecture and of art history, has been appointed University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts dean for a three-year term.
Mead, who has a joint teaching appointment with the School of Architecture and Planning, has been a full professor since 1996 and a member of the faculty since 1980.
Administration appeals to Mead, he said, because he can make improvements to what matters to him most – teaching. “For 24 years I’ve had a consistent, unrelenting commitment to teaching,” he said.
Named an honorary member of Phi Eta Sigma for his contributions to undergraduates, Mead is also a presidential teaching fellow. During his term as dean, he will remain active in the classroom teaching 200 to 500-level courses.
This semester he teaches “Modern Architecture,” a 400-level course that has nearly doubled in size due to Mead’s popularity.
Top faculty are well prepared, articulate and aware of their audience, said Mead, adding, “Teaching is a good reminder of why I’m in administration.”
Leading the college will tap different talents.
Mead, who has also served as a special assistant to the provost, introduced a three-prong plan of action at a back-to-school meeting of the college.
On the agenda is a self-review and long-term strategic planning. Mead will engage faculty and staff from all departments and programs – Art and Art History, Arts of the Americas Institute, Arts Technology Center, Bainbridge Bunting Slide Library, Media Arts, Music, Tamarind Institute and Theatre and Dance.
“What do these passionate, energetic parts have to do with each other? We need to come together. I’m ready for that discussion,” he said.
“What does it mean to be a college of fine arts? Where do we want to be in three years? How do we align our objectives with those of the university? We will examine curriculum, recruitment and retention efforts, and new sources of funding,” he added.
Mead’s other goals include identifying funding priorities and developing a college-wide development plan with an eye on new grant funding and major gifts.
Mead replaces James Moy, who accepted a position in Hong Kong and stepped down Aug. 15.
UNM Provost Brian Foster said Mead’s three-year appointment provides for stability and continuity in the college. The position has been filled three times since Tom Dodson retired in July 2001 after 11 years as dean. Mead served as interim dean following Dodson’s retirement through Moy’s appointment in May 2002.
Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Posted by scarr at August 27, 2004 02:25 PM