New College of Liberal Arts and Sciences leadership will foster excellence and unparalleled growth
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University welcomes five new administrators into leadership ranks. The professors selected to lead four academic units and one center are talented scholars, mentors, teachers and leaders. They possess the admiration of their colleagues and are well-respected in their fields. These individuals will work hard to achieve new growth and success for the college and the university as a whole.
“Implementing the dual mission of providing exceptional teaching and mentorship while envisioning and producing new scholarship is a challenging process. It requires talented leaders with strong academic credentials,” said Patrick Kenney, dean of the college. “We’re saying goodbye to a remarkable group of leaders, but we’re confident our new chairs and directors will initiate progress for their units in the upcoming years.”
Meet the college's new directors and chairs:
-
The Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing welcomes Assistant Professor Matt Bell as the new interim director of the center.
-
Professor Matthew Delmont has been named the new director of the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.
-
The Department of Psychology announces its new chair. Foundation Professor Steven Neuberg will bring teaching excellence and mentorship to the department.
-
Prior to her appointment as chair of the Department of English, Krista Ratcliffe was the head of the English department at Purdue University.
-
The School of Human Evolution and Social Change welcomes President’s Professor Kaye Reed as its new director. She will build on the school’s strengths in research and online teaching.
Matt Bell
Interim Director, Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing
Bell has published two novels, two short-story collections and several other works, all of which were met with wide acclaim as a prominent voice in contemporary literature. Bell has also contributed book criticism and coverage to The New York Times Book Review, The Los Angeles Times, The Believer, PEN America, Rain Taxi, American Book Review and others. Professor Bell will bring his nationally acclaimed writing chops and deep influence on the students and local literary community in his position as interim director to guide the center and inspire the next generation of student writers.
Matthew Delmont
Director, School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies
Delmont’s research focuses primarily on race and the media. Specifically, much of his work studies the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. To this end, he has authored three books and has written pieces for The New York Times, The Atlantic and The Washington Post. Professor Delmont will bring his expertise, passion for teaching and solid research background to demonstrate leadership in academic excellence, ensure broad access to quality education and enhance the school’s societal impact.
Steven Neuberg
Chair, Department of Psychology
Neuberg’s research interests range from evolutionary psychology to religion and conflict. As a professor in the Department of Psychology, his main focus has been in studying the psychology of prejudices and stereotypes. Neuberg has been with ASU since 1988. He has made major scholarly contributions to his fields of study and has been the recipient of several teaching awards, including ASU’s 2012 Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award. His history of impeccable teaching and mentorship will be a major asset to the department.
Krista Ratcliffe
Chair, Department of English
Ratcliffe’s research has focused on feminism, critical race theory, and rhetoric and composition. She has authored and co-authored several books that explore the intersection of these topics. Prior to her appointment as chair of the English department, Ratcliffe was head of the English department at Purdue University. Before that, she was a chair in the English department at Marquette University. With her abundant teaching and administrative experience, Professor Ratcliffe will help the department grow and develop an intellectual community as both a notable scholar and capable administrant.
Kaye Reed
Director, School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Reed’s research interests include human evolution, climate change, community ecology, biogeography and macroecology. Her main point of focus uses community ecology of primates and mammals to study various aspect of hominin life and history, with field research ongoing in the Afar region of Ethiopia. Aside from her robust research, Professor Reed has prepared to assume this position by serving as assistant director and graduate director in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change. With such passion for her work, respect for the school’s mission and administrative experience, Reed will be a great addition to the school’s leadership as she helps maintain a constant state of advancement.
More University news
ASU establishes Center for Free Speech, will host annual free speech forum
Arizona State University is establishing a new Center for Free Speech to encourage the uninhibited exchange of ideas, and the university will launch an annual free speech forum that will begin in…
Public affairs professor, back at ASU after 3 years with NSF, is named Sackton Chair
After three years at the National Science Foundation, Professor Mary Feeney has returned to Arizona State University, where she intends to help early-career women and women of color succeed in…
A decade strong: ASU takes top spot in innovation for 10th year in a row
For the 10th year in a row, Arizona State University is No. 1 in innovation in the newly released annual “Best Colleges” 2025 rankings by U.S. News & World Report — just one of many top rankings…