UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences has a new dean: Kevin Guskiewicz.

UNC made that announcement on Wednesday following a national search headed up by Executive Vice Provost Ron Strauss. Guskiewicz will take over on January 1 from outgoing Dean Karen Gil, who’s returning to the department of psychology and neuroscience after six years in the position.

Kevin Guskiewicz is a neuroscientist at UNC and an internationally recognized expert on sport-related concussions; among many other honors, he won a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 2011. He currently serves as senior associate dean of Arts and Sciences, overseeing the division of natural sciences and mathematics.

In a statement, Dr. Guskiewicz said:

I am excited to lead the College of Arts and Sciences at the University I have grown to love over the past 20 years. During this time I have gained an appreciation for the different challenges and needs of faculty, students and staff from distinct areas, but with a common mission – to be the very best global public research university that also serves the people of North Carolina. I look forward to introducing initiatives to bridge the gap between research and teaching so that our students can benefit from the world-renowned research of our faculty.

UNC Provost Jim Dean also issued a statement on Kevin Guskiewicz’s appointment as Arts and Sciences dean:

Kevin combines a deep interest in academic research with a real appreciation for the importance of using his findings to impact important problems. In his senior associate dean role, he has ably guided the natural sciences during a time of great change, including a pedagogical revolution in the teaching of science. Led by Kevin and others, Carolina has become one of the leading institutions in the country for new teaching and learning models.

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