On Dec. 18, 2020, Executive Dean and Vice Provost Gretchen Ritter sent the following message to College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff.

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share that I have appointed Ryan King, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology, as Dean for Social and Behavioral Sciences, effective January 2021.

Professor King joined the sociology faculty in 2013, and his research interests include criminology, law and society, criminal punishment and intergroup conflict. In addition to his work as a teacher and scholar, he brings to his new role deep experience through his service on the Arts and Sciences Senate, the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee, and the SBS Promotion and Tenure Committee. As chair of our top-ranked Department of Sociology (#17 in U.S. News & World Report and #8 in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects), he has demonstrated collaborative leadership and vision. Working alongside his colleagues, he has guided the department through an external review, curriculum revisions, faculty recruitment and retention cases, and engagement with a growing alumni advisory committee.

As he begins his work as divisional dean, Ryan brings a strong commitment to advancing excellence and innovation in Arts and Sciences, grounded in a support for diversity, equity and inclusion. Those who have worked with Ryan will know the calm, thoughtful and compassionate leadership he brings to his work every day. I know we will all stand to benefit from his vision and contributions to the college.

As we welcome Ryan, please join me in thanking Associate Dean Trevon Logan for his service as interim dean this fall. Trevon will continue to serve as Associate Dean for the college in addition to his national leadership as director of the American Economic Association Mentoring Program.

We are fortunate to have such outstanding colleagues in Arts and Sciences. I wish you a safe, healthy and restful winter break and holiday season.

Best wishes,

Gretchen Ritter
Executive Dean and Vice Provost