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College Leadership
Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Ruth V. Watkins
As dean, Dr. Watkins provides leadership for the academic mission of the college.
She joined the faculty of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois in 1993. She served as associate dean for academic and research affairs in the College of Applied Health Sciences from 2000-2003, and in the Office of the Provost as associate provost from 2003-2006, and vice provost 2006-2008.
Dr. Watkins’ scholarship focuses on communication development and disabilities, including prevention of disability in populations who are at risk. Her research and training programs have been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education, and she has received recognition for teaching excellence at departmental and college levels.
Assistant to the Dean
Paula Adametz Hays
Paula assists in the day-to-day operations of the college and guiding the implementation of policies and procedures. She also manages the office and provides oversight for civil service employment issues collegewide. Paula is an alumna of the college having received her BA in economics from U of I.
Associate Dean for Biological, Physical, and Social and Behavioral Sciences
Philip Best
Professor Best is responsible for the science and social science units within the college. He is a member of the faculty of the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and served as department head from 1997-2007. He also holds a faculty position in the College of Medicine and is a faculty affiliate in the Department of Bioengineering and in the Neuroscience Program. His research is focused on understanding molecular mechanisms that regulate cardiovascular function, particularly the physiology and biophysics of calcium channel proteins.
Associate Dean for Humanities and Interdisciplinary Programs
Karen Carney
Dr. Carney is primarily responsible for the college’s humanities and interdisciplinary units. In that role she works closely with unit heads on a variety of issues including faculty recruitment and retention, third-year reviews, promotion and tenure, bylaws, and departmental organization. She also staffs the LAS Humanities Council and the Policy and Development Committee.
Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs
Mary Macmanus Ramsbottom
Dr. Ramsbottom is head of LAS Student Academic Affairs, the unit that houses honors, new student advising, pre-secondary education advising, and the Access & Achievement and Transition programs. Her staff members monitor student academic progress, apply academic rules, and provide walk-in services. Dean Ramsbottom earned her BA at Mount Holyoke College and her PhD in history at Yale University.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Curriculum and Area Studies Center
Ann Mester
Dr. Mester's duties include curriculum development, managing nonrecurring instructional budgets, and administering first-year programs, including the Global Studies Initiative. She serves as liaison to the college’s Title VI Area Studies Centers. She also holds an appointment as adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. Dean Mester has a BA from Fordham University and an MA and PhD in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Associate Dean for Advancement
Paul Osterhout
Dr. Osterhout is associate vice president for the U of I Foundation as well as the associate dean for advancement for LAS. He oversees the college’s alumni relations, communications and marketing, development, and special events programs. He earned his BA from Doane College, MA from the University of Missouri, and PhD from the University of Michigan.
Associate Dean for Instructional Technologies and Information Services
Deanna Raineri
Dr. Raineri is responsible for the instructional, research, and administrative computing needs of the college. She is also the associate director of the Illinois Informatics Institute and holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Microbiology. In her role as associate dean, she oversees ATLAS (Applied Technologies for Learning in the Arts and Sciences) and works closely with information technology managers and department heads on a variety of technology issues. Dr. Raineri earned her BSc in biochemistry and chemistry and her PhD in molecular biology from the University of Southampton, England.
Assistant Dean and Director for International Programs
Barbara Hancin-Bhatt
Dr. Hancin-Bhatt supports the college's internationalization efforts, particularly managing the development of the Global Studies program of study and LAS Courses Abroad and drafting international agreements. Dr. Hancin-Bhatt has held faculty positions at Penn State University, University of South Carolina, and University of Utah. She has an adjunct appointment in the Department of Linguistics.
Assistant Dean for Facilities and Space
Matthew Tomaszewski
Mr. Tomaszewski directs facilities and planning for LAS. His responsibilities include long-term planning for the renovation and repair of LAS facilities, for space allocation, and for strategic planning. He also serves as the college’s energy conservation liaison. Dean Tomaszewski has a BS from the Pennsylvania State University, an MEd from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MBA from the U of I.
Director for Budget Resource Planning
Carol Wakefield
Ms. Wakefield oversees the financial matters of the college, working with the Dean and associate deans to develop strategies for utilizing funds to meet programmatic needs. She also oversees the processing of personnel appointments and assists units in interpreting policies and procedures related to financial and human resource issues.