The search committee for Virginia Tech’s next dean of the College of Science invites the campus community to participate in open forum sessions (in-person and virtual) for the four finalists who will visit the campus in November and December.

Lee Learman, dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and chair of the search committee, invites all members of the campus community to meet the finalists through virtual open forum discussions. Each finalist will share their perspectives on “A Vision for the Future of Science at the Modern Land Grant University.” Questions may be submitted during the live discussions and feedback on the candidates can be shared with the search committee following each session.

Deborah Thomas
Nov. 17
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fralin Hall Auditorium
Zoom (scroll down to Dean of the College of Science section for link)

Deborah Thomas is dean of the College of Geosciences and professor of oceanography at Texas A&M University. Thomas, who specializes in the field of paleoceanography, was instrumental in establishing the R. Ken Williams ’45 Radiogenic Isotope Geosciences Laboratory. She studies the chemical composition of marine sediments to reconstruct past climate with a particular interest in the climate dynamics of globally warm periods of time in Earth’s history. Thomas’ honors include being named a Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar and receiving the college-level Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching from the Texas A&M Association of Former Students.

Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from Brown University, and a master’s degree in marine sciences and doctoral degree in geological sciences from the University of North Carolina.

Andre Hudson
Dec. 8
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fralin Hall Auditorium
Zoom (scroll down to Dean of the College of Science section for link)

Andre Hudson serves as head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is trained as a biochemist and the major themes of his research are vested in biochemistry and microbiology, specifically, in the areas of amino acid metabolism, structural analyses of enzymes involved in amino acid and bacterial peptidoglycan metabolism. Hudson has served on numerous school, college, and institute committees, including the GSoLS Curriculum Committee, the College of Science Faculty Evaluation and Development Committee (chaired since 2014), and the RIT Isaac L. Jordan Faculty Pluralism Award Selection Committee (chaired since 2013).

Hudson earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Union University and a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry from Rutgers University.

Kevin Pitts
Dec. 13
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fralin Hall Auditorium
Zoom (scroll down to Dean of the College of Science section for link)

Kevin Pitts serves as chief research officer at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory. He has oversight of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, including advancing scientific excellence across the laboratory through strong communication, and collaboration and coordination with the Department of Energy and other partners. Prior to his role at Fermilab, Pitts spent 22 years at the University of Illinois where he was most recently the vice provost for undergraduate education and a professor of physics in the Grainger College of Engineering. He is a Fellow of the American Physics Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Pitts received a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Anderson University, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Oregon.

Chris Poulsen
Dec. 15
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fralin Hall Auditorium
Zoom (scroll down to Dean of the College of Science section for link)

Chris Poulsen is associate dean of natural sciences for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on large-scale climate change through Earth history. Poulsen and his research group investigate how and why climate has changed using state-of-the-art climate models, and the implications for future climate change. They also explore surface-atmosphere interactions through modeling and field-based observations of water isotopes. In addition to serving as associate dean, Poulsen is a professor in and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and a professor of climate and space sciences and engineering.

Poulsen earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Carleton College and a Ph.D. in geosciences from Pennsylvania State University.

The next dean of the College of Science will continue to build and advance strategic growth areas, identify new opportunities for growth, and advocate for the college and the important role it plays in the university’s research, outreach and education mission. The candidate selected will have a strong record of relevant research and scholarship success and the ability to lead complex organizations. The dean will also be adept at championing the college externally to donors and alumni, as well as state, national and international leaders.

The position description, application/nomination process, and search updates for dean of the College of Science are posted and available on the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost website.

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