Professors selected to serve as interim associate deans

Two longtime faculty members have been selected to serve as interim associate deans of the College of LAS, starting January 16.

David Tewksbury, professor and head of the Department of Communication, has been appointed to serve as interim associate dean for social and behavioral sciences. Carla Cáceres, professor of animal biology and director of the School of Integrative Biology, will serve as interim associate dean for life and physical sciences.

Feng Sheng Hu, Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of LAS, said that Cáceres and Tewksbury will provide leadership as the college searches for permanent associate deans during the spring semester. Tewksbury served previously as interim associate dean for two years, and in addition to her role at SIB,  Cáceres is a member of the college’s Strategic Advisory Review Team.

“I look forward to working with Dave and Carla,” Hu said. “Their knowledge, familiarity with the college, administrative experience, and passion for liberal arts and sciences will serve us well." 

Cáceres received a bachelor's degree in biology in 1991 from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology in 1997 from Cornell University. She served as a scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey until 2001, when she joined the Department of Animal Biology as a faculty member.

Tewksbury received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Occidental College in 1985 and a master’s degree in communication management from University of Southern California in 1992. He received a PhD in communication from the University of Michigan in 1996, and he joined Illinois as faculty later that year.

James Dalling, professor and head of the Department of Plant Biology, will serve as acting director of SIB. John Caughlin, professor of communication, has been named actiing head of the Department of Communication.