This fall, Dean of the College Rashid Zia ’01 shared plans to step down from the position at the end of the spring semester. Now, the University is looking for someone to fill his role.
From Jan. 13 to Jan. 27, individuals in the community were able to nominate Brown faculty members to be considered for the position. Deputy Provost for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Doherty confirmed that there is “a lot of interest” in the position.
These nominations will now be reviewed by a selection committee composed of University administrators, faculty members and between two to three undergraduate students. After interviewing a select group of finalists, the committee will then provide recommendations to President Christina Paxson P’19 P’MD’20 — who will make the final decision.
“We seek a dynamic and strong leader for the College who can build on Brown’s long tradition of excellence and innovation in undergraduate education,” the position description reads.
The search process is still in its “early stages,” Provost Francis Doyle said. The committee plans to announce the new dean this spring.
Jay Philbrick ’25, the academic affairs chair of the Undergraduate Council of Students, is one of the three students who will serve on the search committee. He will be joined by either one or two other undergraduates selected by UCS.
Applications for the undergraduate positions close on Jan. 28. The candidates will be reviewed by UCS Appointments Director Isaac Slevin ’25, and the council will select the final undergraduate representative or representatives based on Slevin’s recommendations, Philbrick said.
When reviewing nominations for the role, Philbrick says he is “less focused on a particular background, and more focused on someone who’s had a wide range of experiences across a really large portfolio.”
Philbrick added that he has worked with Zia to implement many UCS initiatives, highlighting Zia’s commitment to listening to student input.
“That’s definitely something that I will be looking for in the next dean of the College,” Philbrick said, adding that the new dean must be committed to supporting the undergraduate experience.
Hadley Carr is a university news editor at The Herald, covering academics & advising and student government.
