Anna Stenport named a dean at the University of Georgia
Dear RIT Community,
I am writing today to share that Dr. Anna Stenport, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will be leaving RIT to become dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at University of Georgia (UGA). Her last day at RIT will be March 31. Her appointment as the new dean of UGA’s Franklin College represents a homecoming for Anna. With a scholarship from the Georgia Rotary Student Program, she spent her first year of college study as an international student at UGA. Of her time at UGA, Anna said, “At that time, nobody in my immediate family had studied or lived abroad. Exposure to Georgia’s complex history and culture within the context of an arts and sciences curriculum helped me understand the positive transformational impact of public higher education in the United States and beyond. I am eager to contribute back to this extraordinary environment.”
During her tenure as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Anna oversaw the development of the School for Performing Arts and the Performing Arts Scholar program. Under her leadership, sponsored research activities increased by 215% and the college saw a 265% increase in foundation gifts. Faculty within the college were consistently recognized for their research, presentations, awards, grants and other contributions to innovative learning, with the number of degree-seeking students increasing. The college is a primary partner in the new interdisciplinary master’s degree in artificial intelligence and the Ph.D. in cognitive science. Anna also began important work to advance the college’s organizational and financial structures and its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility efforts, as well as to improve support for faculty, staff, and students.
I extend my appreciation to Anna for the work she has done while dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Please join me in wishing her the best in her new deanship. More information about the leadership transition for the college will be shared within the next few weeks. As we get closer to Anna’s departure, my office will be in touch regarding a farewell event.
Sincerely,
Ellen Granberg
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs