Jackson School's Dean Selection Committee initiates search process

November 6, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas—Members of the Jackson School of Geosciences' Dean Selection Committee have initiated the process of seeking candidates to become the next dean of the school and have officially started advertising the position. The dean will lead this newly formed academic unit that constitutes one of the largest geoscience communities in the country. This position provides an unprecedented opportunity to have a major impact on the field of geoscience.

As a part of the process, the committee is circulating a recruiting ad (adobe pdf). Chair of the Dean Selection Committee, Dr. Sharon Mosher, invites colleagues to download the ad and forward it to candidates who match the elite qualifications sought in a new dean.

The committee hopes to hire a new dean effective Sept. 1, 2006.

Dr. William L. Fisher, who has served as director of the school since it was created within the College of Natural Sciences in 2001, agreed to serve as the school’s inaugural dean when the school was officially created as a separate unit at the level of a college, Sept. 1, 2005. Fisher agreed to remain as dean during the national search for his replacement.

The process of the Jackson School dean search follows a protocol established by the Provost's Office for all academic units at The University of Texas at Austin. A committee with majority representation from the school and additional representation from across campus and externally establishes criteria for candidates, solicits applications and selects candidates for interviews. At the conclusion of the process, the committee makes recommendations to the provost, who hires the new dean in consultation with the university president.

The names of candidates remain confidential throughout the first stages of the process.

The Jackson School's Dean Selection Committee represents a diverse mix of perspectives and backgrounds. The committee includes five professors, four research scientists, three students and one administrative staffer from the Jackson School; five directors, deans and senior managers from within the university; and two alumni who are also on the Geology Foundation Advisory Council.

For more information contact the chair of the Dean Selection Committee, Dr. Sharon Mosher, mosher@mail.utexas.edu, 512-471-4135.