KU vice provost leaving for dean’s job in Boston

Ann Cudd, Kansas University vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies, is leaving KU to become dean of Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Cudd will remain at KU until July 3, and start the job at Boston Aug. 1, according to the universities.

She has been KU’s vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies since August 2013. In that role she led KU’s effort to raise retention and graduation rates, which has included identifying groups of students who may benefit from academic supports to increase success, according to a recent KU news release. Cudd also serves as the ex officio administrative leader of the University Core Curriculum Committee.

Ann Cudd

Cudd came to KU as an assistant professor of philosophy in 1988 and also taught in and directed the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program. She was appointed associate dean of humanities in the college in 2008. She was named a University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy in 2012.

She has received multiple teaching awards and fellowships and authored three books and more than 50 philosophical articles, according to KU.

“Her scholarly record has helped elevate the stature of KU and created new awareness in her field,” KU provost Jeff Vitter said in the news release. We’re also grateful for her dedication and hard work as a leader on campus.”

Cudd said, in KU’s announcement, that she was privileged to have worked at KU “teaching future global leaders and engaging in philosophical research on pressing issues of justice and inequality.”

At Boston University, her goals include promoting the school’s initiatives in expanding its big data faculty and abilities, developing new universitywide general education curriculum and physically redesigning classrooms for more interactive instruction, according to a Boston University story introducing her.

The story also notes that Cudd has run in the Boston marathon and that, if time allows for training, she’d like to do it again.

Cudd was a contender for at least one other dean position earlier this year, when she interviewed as a finalist for dean of University of Florida’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.