Dean of Graduate Studies leaves USU

Thomas Kent, Utah State University’s dean of Graduate Studies, will leave the university to become dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. Kent assumes his new position Aug. 1.

This vacancy at Utah State will bring about a new title for the position – vice provost for graduate education and dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

           Kent joined the School of Graduate Studies at Utah State in 2000. Prior to that he was chair of the department of English at Iowa State University, where he also held a variety of faculty positions in the department. Other teaching experience includes assignments at Miami University of Ohio, and he served a one-year appointment as a Fulbright Professor at the University of Tampere in Finland.

Several advances were made in the School of Graduate Studies at Utah State during Kent’s tenure. Among the accomplishments were finding additional support for graduate students, enhancing graduate recruitment efforts and increasing doctoral enrollment, Kent said. The departing dean said several challenges faced him upon his arrival at Utah State, but advances have been made in many areas.

This year’s graduate class at Utah State was among the university’s largest, and a record number of master’s and doctoral candidates participated in this year’s graduate commencement ceremony.

Dean Kent said he looks forward to the many challenges in his new position at Western Michigan University and will enjoy living near his family.

“Utah State is a wonderful university with a great faculty and sensational students,” Kent said. “I will miss most my association with my colleagues who, in a very short time, became my good friends as well as my co-workers.”

The Provost’s office at Utah State will coordinate the search for Kent’s replacement, and plans are in the preliminary stage. An interim dean will be appointed until the position is filled.

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