KU names second finalist for CLAS dean

Kansas University has named the second of four finalists for dean of its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Mark P. Jones, professor of political science and the Jamail chair in Latin American studies at Rice University, will make a public presentation from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Big 12 Room, Kansas Union, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd.

Jones’ research focuses on the effect of electoral laws and other political institutions on governance, representation and voting. He joined the faculty at Rice in 2007, and previously taught at the University of Houston, Michigan State University, University of Notre Dame and several institutions in South America. Jones earned his doctorate in political science in 1994 from the University of Michigan.

KU students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the presentation and provide feedback.

Candidate Walter Hawthorne, professor and chair of the Department of History at Michigan State University, visited campus Monday. Two other CLAS dean candidates, not yet named, have presentations scheduled for the coming weeks. The theme is “21st Century Challenges to Liberal Arts and Sciences (and how KU will address them).”