Academic Affairs

 New Deans Join UM-St. Louis

Jean Miller

Jean M.K. Miller has been named dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Miller, who began the position July 1, 2013, previously served as associate dean of administrative affairs in the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas in Denton. She oversaw the Design Research Center in Dallas, and she served as acting dean of UNT’s Toulouse Graduate School.

“I was attracted to UMSL and the College of Fine Arts and Communication as both an administrator and an artist,” Miller said. “A diverse and talented faculty, staff and student body, strong programs and being acknowledged by the Carnegie Foundation as an institution that is truly engaged with St. Louis and metro-area communities were just a few of my considerations.”

Before joining UNT, Miller was chair of the Department of Art and Design, Art History and Art Education at Towson University in Maryland. Prior to that, she was chair of the Department of Art and Design at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts-painting at St. Cloud University in Minnesota. After graduating with a master of fine arts degree in painting from California College of the Arts, she began her career as a professor of studio art at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, where she headed the painting programs for 10 years.

UMSL Provost Glen Cope said Miller will be a great asset to the university.

“She’s an excellent academic and administrator,” Cope said. “I am pleased that she has joined us to build on the fine work of the founding dean, John Hylton, and the interim dean, James Richards, in moving our College of Fine Arts and Communication forward.”

The College of Fine Arts and Communication was established in 2001. It comprises four departments: art and art history; communication; music; and theatre, dance and media studies.

 

Charles Hoffman

Charles Hoffman is named Dean of the College of Business Administration effective September 1, 2013.  Hoffman believes that what made him successful as a business leader are the same attributes that will propel him in his new position with the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  

Hoffman most recently served as president and chief executive officer of Covad Communications, the national broadband carrier.   He will fill the role left by Keith Womer, who has now returned to the classroom. Michael Elliott, associate dean and director of undergraduate students for the college, has served as interim dean since July 1.

"Business is an honorable profession,” Hoffman said. “When I look back on my business career I don't think about stock price increases or net income improvements, but I do think about, and often hear from, the people I was able to influence and mentor. The exciting thing about business is people and organizational development that leads to great results.  One of my goals at UMSL is to help students realize that's what business is all about." 

As an alumnus of UMSL who earned a bachelor's degree in 1974 and the MBA in 1976, he can connect with both alumni and students.  “I’m a champion for UMSL. I’m a product of UMSL,” he said. “No one cares about the college more than me, so I feel it’s really a perfect fit.” 

Glen Cope, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UMSL, said Hoffman’s connection to both UMSL and the business community made him the ideal choice for the position.  

“Charles Hoffman is a business innovator who understands and appreciates what our business college does well now and can do better in the future to educate the next generation of business leaders and support our regional economy,” Cope said. “I’m confident in his ability to grow and expand the college to meet the ever-changing field and the needs of our students.”

 

 

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