Stephen Lumetta
News Editor
In an email sent to the College community in early March, Provost Carolyn Newton announced that the College was looking for a Dean of APEX, a new and fully endowed position. Newton, who is serving as chair of the search committee, invited people to read the position’s prospectus and submit the names of any individuals to the College’s search consultant, Tom Courtice, who served as the search consultant during the presidential search.
“When APEX began [in 2012], we were extremely fortunate to have a group of directors of various different programs who are so collaborative and so willing to work with each other. … They have created an incredibly strong program,” said Newton.
But, she added, the APEX directors had full-time jobs working on their own programs and someone else needs to focus on expanding APEX’s scope.
“There is so much more that could be done, if only there was someone who had time to do it,” said Newton.
The prospectus said two main qualities were essential for the new dean position. The dean must be knowledgeable about undergraduate liberal arts education and the new dean must understand and have experience with the external community, which would include businesses, governments and non-profit organizations.
“At this point, I don’t have a preconceived idea of exactly the area that the person will come from, but I am concerned that they have a good, solid understanding of the liberal arts experience,” said Newton.
Another big change that will be coming to APEX and the Andrews Library is the renovation of the space between Special Collections and APEX and the addition of offices behind APEX. This renovation will take place this summer. The renovations will add group study rooms, a gathering space that can be used for large APEX presentations and an informal gathering space that can be used for studying. Both APEX personnel and library personnel were consulted about the renovations. Next year, the Admissions Office will occupy this renovated space due to the demolition of Mateer Hall and the construction of Williams Hall.
After Admissions can move back into its space in the Gault Admissions Building, then the renovated space will be available for both APEX and the library.
Newton is optimistic about the future of APEX.
“APEX has exceeded our expectations, exceeded our wildest dreams for its accomplishments in its first several years,” she said.
“Just bringing the offices together with the wonderful directors that we have in place created synergy to the whole system so that every part is better than it was before … We already have so many good things going on, but I think it’s only going to get better when we have a dean for APEX who can really focus on making stronger connections,” said Newton.