MAY 11, 2020 — Sean Kelly, dean of the Honors College and professor of philosophy and classics at UTSA since 2016, will lead as the interim dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, effective immediately.
Kelly has a depth of experience as a sitting dean at UTSA, where he is responsible for innovative academic programs, exciting pedagogy, college collaboration, budget and administration, and student experience for the university’s 1,400 honors students. Under his leadership, the Honors College has grown substantially, expanded its diversity, connected with communities, and shown impact on the lives of its graduates, including a record number of honors and awards.
Prior to UTSA, Kelly served as the interim dean of undergraduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University and as the director of the FGCU Honors Program from 2007 to 2014.
At FGCU, he oversaw the university’s programs in general education, undergraduate research, tutoring, undergraduate studies advising as well as the Honors Program, First-Year Experience, Center for Teaching and Learning, Writing Center, Athlete Learning Center and the Quality Enhancement Plan. He collaborated with college deans on universitywide curriculum and programming.
Kelly has a Ph.D. in comparative literature and an M.A. in philosophy through Binghamton University’s Philosophy, Literature, and Theories of Criticism Program.
A national search for the next dean of COLFA will be relaunched. To assist in candidate development during this unprecedented time, UTSA will use the services of a national search consultant, Alberto Pimentel, of Storbeck/Pimentel. Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates is known for its success of placing accomplished leaders from diverse backgrounds and has led nearly 400 senior executive searches on behalf of clients in higher education and nonprofit institutions across the Unites States. The search advisory committee will be reformulated later this month, and the position is expected to be filled by next spring.
While Kelly serves as interim dean of COLFA, Jill Fleuriet will serve as the acting dean of the Honors College. As previously planned and already underway, Rhonda Gonzales is continuing in her faculty position and taking on additional duties as special adviser and liaison for inclusive excellence, reporting to Kelly for the summer.
