From the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Posted: Tuesday, January 5, 2021Appointment: Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
I am pleased to announce that Brian Cronk has been selected as the new dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Cronk comes to us from Missouri Western State University, where he worked as a faculty member and administrator since 1993. In recent years, he served as faculty assistant to the provost, associate provost, founding dean of the Graduate School, and chair of the Department of Psychology, among other leadership roles.
He earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has served as secretary-treasurer of the Midwestern Psychological Association. He is invested in undergraduate research and was a nationally elected councilor for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR).
Dr. Cronk will start in his role at Buffalo State College remotely this month and will move into his campus office in Rockwell Hall on March 1. From now through May 31, Scott Goodman, interim dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences (NSS), and Carlos Jones, interim dean of the School of Arts and Humanities (A&H), will serve as officers-in-charge of their respective schools and help Dr. Cronk get acclimated to his new role.
Throughout the spring semester, the schools of A&H and NSS will continue to operate separately as we make the transition from two schools into one. I have asked Kelly Frothingham, associate dean of NSS, and Mr. Jones to lead this effort to ensure a smooth transition.
At this time, I also want to thank the dean’s search committee and especially its co-chairs, Julian Cole, interim associate dean of A&H, and Jill Norvilitis, professor of psychology, for their diligence in helping us find the right candidate.
I am excited about this new chapter in Buffalo State’s history. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Cronk.
