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Jennifer Turpin, who became dean of the College of Arts and Science June 1, holds a package of aspirin given to her by university radio station KUSF in honor of her promotion.
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Jennifer Turpin Named Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Jennifer Turpin, whose major projects as associate dean for five years included overseeing the design and implementation of a new core education curriculum and fostering successful graduate and undergraduate writing programs, has been appointed dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
“I’m very excited. There’s a lot of good work to do. Knowing the faculty and the university as well as I do gives me total confidence in our ability to move the college forward,” Turpin said.
Turpin, whose appointment became effective June 1, was selected by a university committee after a national search and then appointed by Provost Jim Wiser. Turpin was one of three finalists. During open interviews with faculty, she presented a list of goals to help make USF “the finest Jesuit university in the nation.” They included strengthening support for faculty research, including better laboratories, and helping faculty win fellowships; recruiting students with stronger academic records and improving retention; and developing cutting-edge programs in the arts and sciences.
“I want to make us a magnet for excellent faculty and the highest quality students,” she said.
She was also frank during open interviews with faculty about reuniting with “disenfranchised groups” and taking early action before departmental disagreements become aggravated.
“Part of my approach is to build good relationships,” Turpin said.
Turpin takes over the job from Stanley Nel, who was promoted to vice president for international relations. During his 12 years as dean, Nel helped recruit top faculty and improve curriculum, Wiser said. “I am confident (Turpin) will be an excellent dean for the college and a leader who will serve the entire university,” he added.
As dean, Turpin said she would appoint associate deans to separately head arts, social sciences, and hard sciences. “The growth in the arts, humanities, and social sciences has been so tremendous that one associate dean is not enough to support them,” she said.
Another of her goals is to give the sciences greater visibility on campus along with expanded support. “Those issues come down to some fundamental resources in terms of labs and space,” Turpin said. “We have some tremendous faculty in the sciences and they need more support.”
Many faculty said they are glad to see Turpin continue on as head of the college. “I am very excited that Jennifer was chosen,” said Bruce Wydick, assistant professor of economics. “As associate dean, she has been integral in helping our department move to the next level by working with us to develop our new graduate programs in international and development economics and our new master’s in financial analysis that begins this summer.”
Turpin received her doctorate from the University of Texas, Austin in 1991 and was hired at USF as an assistant professor of sociology. A founding member of the university’s women’s studies program and its coordinator from 1992 to 1997, she received tenure in 1997 and became full professor in 2000. She served as chair of the sociology department from 1995 to 1998 before becoming associate dean for arts, humanities, and social sciences. She is also the author or co-editor of six books and has published in many professional and interdisciplinary journals.
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