RECAST | Interim Dean Search Update

From: McAvity, David <mcavityd@evergreen.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 8:49 AM

Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to announce that Abir Biswas has agreed to serve as Interim Dean beginning in January and continuing through the 21-22 academic year. In this role, Abir will lead several initiatives, including co-leading the New Academic Directions certificates team; student learning outcomes assessment planning; and the completion of Evergreen’s mid-cycle accreditation report. He will also share responsibilities that are divided amongst the deans, including conducting faculty reviews. 

Abir has been a member of the faculty at Evergreen since 2010. He has taught with a range of interdisciplinary teams across the arts, humanities, and sciences and is currently teaching in Geology and Mathematics with Rachel Hastings. Abir has served the College in a variety of governance roles, including as Faculty Chair, Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, First-Year Experience Workgroup, Planning Unit Coordinator for Scientific Inquiry and, currently, as co-Path Convener for Mathematical, Physical, and Computer Sciences.  He earned his A.B. in Geology/Chemistry and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College, and his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Michigan.   

I’d like to thank Karen Gaul, Larry Geri, Miranda Mellis, and Eric Thuesen, who served with me on the review committee, for their thoughtful work within a very short timeframe.  And finally, I’d like to thank several of our colleagues who seriously considered this position and provided thoughtful communication with me and the deans about this leadership role. 

Please join me in welcoming Abir to this important leadership role. 

Best wishes, 

David 

David McAvity | he-him | Interim Provost and Vice President for Student & Academic Life | The Evergreen State College | 360.867.6400