Ann Cudd named vice provost, dean of undergraduate studies

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has named Ann Cudd, the associate dean for humanities in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, as new vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies.

“In an outstanding pool of applications from across campus, Ann stood out as the best choice to lead the many new initiatives dedicated to enhancing undergraduate education at KU,” said Sara Rosen, senior vice provost for academic affairs. “During the past two years we have reorganized to align more directly with Bold Aspirations, our strategic plan, and put into place the KU Core curriculum. In her new position, Ann will continue moving KU forward to ensure we meet the strategies and goals outlined in our strategic plan.”

As vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies, Cudd will lead a unit that oversees the KU Core Curriculum Committee and offices of Experiential Learning, First-Year Experience, Undergraduate Research and Academic Support Services, including the Undergraduate Advising Center, the Academic Achievement and Access Center, the Writing Center, the University Career Center and the Learning Studio. She will begin serving as vice provost and dean Aug. 1.

”I am excited to be joining the provost’s team at a critical juncture as we launch the KU Core and other key aspects of Bold Aspirations to improve retention and graduation for all our students,” Cudd said. “This new position will raise the profile of undergraduate education at KU and shine a light on the academic advising, support and enhancement resources for students.

“My top priority is to help students better utilize the data now available to them to intentionally chart a course through their studies at KU and into productive and satisfying careers.”

Cudd received her Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and philosophy at Swarthmore College in 1982, a master's degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986 and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988. She came to KU as an assistant professor in 1988. She has taught in the Department of Philosophy and the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, and she was director of the Program from 2001 to 2008. She was appointed associate dean of humanities in the College in 2008.

Cudd has held fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Hall Center for the Humanities, and she was inducted into the KU Women’s Hall of Fame in 2008. She has served as the president of the Society for Analytical Feminism and as the program chair for the Central Division of the American Philosophical Association. In 2001 she was awarded a W.T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence. In 2007 her book “Analyzing Oppression” was awarded the Byron Caldwell Smith Award.

Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, professor and director of the University Honors Program, served as co-chairs of the search committee.