The 91探花 is seeking a visionary leader to serve as the next Maggie Walker Dean of the College of the Environment. An advisory committee, with support from executive search firm Spencer Stuart, is leading a national search to identify top candidates for this role, with the goal of appointing a new dean by Spring 2026.
Candidate visits
Four finalists have been identified and will be visiting campus during the month of March. The candidate’s name, cover letter and CV will be posted at the time of their visit. ( 91探花NetID required)
Advisory Search Committee on the Deanship of the College of the Environment
- Mari Ostendorf, Vice Provost for Research, Co-Chair
- Michael Spencer, Dean, School of Social Work, Co-Chair
- Sally Brown, Research Professor, Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment
- David Butman, Associate Professor, Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment
- David Carpenter, Associate Dean for Advancement, College of the Environment
- Cailey Condit, Assistant Professor, Earth and Space Sciences, College of the Environment
- Jo Gray, Business Manager, Friday Harbor Labs, College of the Environment
- Jos茅 Guzman, Teaching Professor, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, College of the Environment
- Hilairy Hartnett, Professor and Director, Oceanography, College of the Environment
- Jannes Koelling, Postdoctoral Researcher, Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, College of the Environment
- Craig Lee, Professor, Oceanography, Applied Physics Lab, College of the Environment
- Phil Levin, Interim Director of EarthLab, College of the Environment
- Casey Self, Teaching Professor, Biology, College of Arts and Sciences
- Abigail Swann, Professor, Atmospheric and Climate Science, College of the Environment
Charge letter
Dear Colleagues:
Thank you for agreeing to serve on the advisory search committee to identify and recommend candidates for the position of Maggie Walker Dean of the College of the Environment. This search may involve both internal and external candidates. Mari Ostendorf, Vice Provost for Research, and Michael Spencer, Dean, School of Social Work will chair the committee. We are fortunate to have such a superb committee.
Our goal is to have a new dean identified by Spring 2026. We seek a distinguished academic and a visionary leader for the College of the Environment who will work well with the 91探花community, including other academic units, public and non-profit partners, alumni, and donors. I am grateful to Joel Thornton for his willingness to serve as interim dean as we carry out this search.
Enclosed is a copy of from the 91探花 Policy Directory, which sets forth the basic procedures for conducting a search for a dean. The University has a strong commitment to diversity, and I ask you to use best practices in ensuring compliance with our state and federal requirements to equitably assess candidates for this position. Please establish protocols for seeking the opinions of members of the College of the Environment, broader 91探花faculty, student and staff communities, as well as other appropriate constituencies within and outside the 91探花.
At the conclusion of the search, the President and I would like to receive from you the names of at least three highly qualified candidates. We are engaging the executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, to assist you in this search.
Thank you very much for accepting this important assignment.
Sincerely,
Tricia R. Serio
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor, Biochemistry