New academic dean, executive administrative dean and director of graduate admissions appointed
Leadership Changes in the School of Arts and Sciences
Bárbara Brizuela, G96, an associate professor of education, has been appointed academic dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, filling the post that James Glaser held prior to his appointment as the school’s interim dean on June 1. Brizuela’s research interests are mathematics education, early childhood education and cognitive development. She holds a master’s in education from Tufts and an Ed.D. from Harvard. She came to Tufts in 2007 and was the Schuster Family Faculty Fellow in Arts and Sciences in 2008–09, as well as a Spencer Fellow and a Fulbright Senior Scholar. She chaired the education department from 2009 to 2012, and has been the director of the STEM Education program since 2009. Brizuela will be “an excellent advocate for the school and its departments, a fair decision-maker and a warm and even presence,” Glaser wrote in a message to the Tufts community.
Scott Sahagian, executive associate dean of the School of Engineering, has assumed the additional role of executive administrative dean ad interim of the School of Arts and Sciences. “Scott’s deep knowledge of project management and creative problem-solving will benefit both schools and will be invaluable in supporting our growing collaboration with the School of Engineering, especially on our shared capital projects at 574 Boston Avenue and the Science and Engineering Complex,” said Glaser.
Karen Richardson, who has worked in undergraduate admissions since 2008, has been appointed to the new position of director of admissions for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The new Office of Graduate Admissions, located in Bendetson Hall alongside undergraduate admissions, opened on July 1 under the leadership of Lee Coffin, dean of admissions and enrollment management. Richardson most recently had been associate director of admissions and director of diversity recruitment. The graduate admissions staff will partner with faculty in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering on developing recruitment strategies for applicants for graduate studies in both schools. The staff will also manage the application process for master’s and doctoral candidates.