Mark Hanshaw, J.D., Ph.D., has been named dean of the School of Arts & Letters, following the conduct of a national search to fill this position. Hanshaw had served as interim dean of the school, and, previously, as associate dean and director of the Institutional Quality Enhancement Program.

In the role of dean, Hanshaw will oversee curricular and academic matters as they relate to the diverse departments and programs that comprise the School of Arts & Letters. He will work closely with both the faculty of the school and its students on core priorities and opportunities.

“Mark has displayed significant leadership talents through the varying roles that he has played on our campus,” Allen Henderson, provost, and senior vice president said. “I expect him to expand upon the innovative work that he has already begun through his work with our faculty and students." 

In addition to his twin roles as associate dean and QEP director, Hanshaw has served as chair of the Faculty Assembly and chair of the Department of Religion, Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies. 

“The School of Arts & Letters plays a critical role in meeting the broad mission of our university,” Hanshaw said. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students, as we seek to imagine programs of the future.”

Hanshaw is co-author of the text, From East to West: A Comparative Study of the World’s Great Religions, and is editing a new volume on the topic of interfaith education, entitled, Intersections, scheduled to be released in early 2018. He has also been actively involved in study abroad programs on campus. Hanshaw brings prior experience in the field of law, clergy credentials within the United Methodist Church, and is a past recipient of both the Rotary International Fellowship and the Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship.