Lewis Honors College Dean Candidates Visit Campus, Participate in Forums

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2017) — The University of Kentucky is conducting a national search for the dean of the UK Lewis Honors College. The dean serves as the academic and administrative head of the Lewis Honors College and is responsible for the leadership and administration of all aspects of the college.

As part of this process, the search committee has selected four finalists for the position.

Throughout the month of April, these four candidates will visit campus, participate in open forums and meet with constituent groups in the UK community on the following dates:

• Candidate A: April 4, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., in the UK Athletics Association Auditorium in the William T. Young Library
• Candidate B: April 6, from 2:30-3:30, p.m., in the UK Athletics Association Auditorium in the William T. Young Library
• Candidate C: April 12 time/location TBD
• Candidate D: April 17 time/location TBD

Names and CVs for these individuals will be posted 48 business hours in advance of their forums.

In October 2015, the University of Kentucky received the largest single gift in its history—$23 million—from alumnus, long-time donor, and successful entrepreneur Thomas W. Lewis and his wife Jan to create the Lewis Honors College from the previously existing Honors Program. 

"This incredible gift will help us open the doors of UK even wider — not simply to students with outstanding academic achievement, but also those with different backgrounds, identities, perspectives and financial means, who will benefit enormously from the focused and excellent educational experience offered by an Honors College that will be among the finest in the country," said UK President Eli Capilouto during the 2015 gift announcement.

Serving as the Dean of the Lewis Honors College will require significant experience in senior leadership; thus, the successful candidate must have previous administrative experience in higher education, preferably in an Honors College or Honors Program.  Successful candidates are expected to possess a terminal degree in their field, as well as a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service sufficient to qualify for appointment as a full professor with tenure in a University of Kentucky academic department.  

As with all searches, feedback and input from the UK community is invaluable to this process. If you have any questions or would like to provide comments, contact the search committee at honorsdeansearch@uky.edu.