Jason Hicks has been selected as the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective July 1. 

Hicks is currently a Provost's Fellow in the Office of Academic Affairs at Lousiana State University, where he started his tenure in 1998 as an assistant professor in psychology. 

From 2019 to 2021, he was an associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he led professional and leadership development efforts for the college. 

As dean, Hicks' priorities will include developing strategies to elevate the student experience and broaden access to CLA courses and curricula, furthering opportunities to support recruitment and retention of faculty, expanding engagement with alumni, and enhancing professional and leadership development for faculty and staff. 

The University has been conducting a national search for a new dean for CLA since July 2021, following the transition of Joe Aistrup back to a faculty member after serving as the dean for eight years.

Ana Franco Watkins served as interim dean, and will now return to her position as professor and chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences.

"I am extremely honored to accept this leadership opportunity," Hicks said. "The College of Liberal Arts is truly integral to the University's success. I am eager to enhance the college's positive impact on students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the college."