The University of Minnesota announced on Nov. 25 that GerShun Avilez is the new Dean of the University’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA). Avilez replaced interim Dean Ann Waltner, who filled in after John Coleman stepped down in April 2023.

Before arriving at the University, Avilez served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Arts & Humanities and professor of English at the University of Maryland. Avilez is also an award-winning author and scholar in the field of cultural studies. 

Avilez said he envisioned building a stronger community around CLA during his presentation to the University in April, where he and three other candidates held open meetings to discuss their possible visions for the University if they were elected. Avilez said that by supplying well-qualified candidates and resources to help strengthen the relationships between disciplines within the college, the college itself can become a greater resource for the University and the Minnesotan community.

“We don’t always think about the college or all of our units as having a function on campus,” Avilez said during his presentation. “Maybe people turn to other colleges first, but I think we could turn to the College of Liberal Arts first to do that work. That’s the challenge I want us to think about.”

In an email sent to CLA undergraduate students on Dec. 9, Avilez said he was honored to serve as the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts. 

“Though I am just beginning my journey at CLA, I am already inspired by the vibrancy of this community—your intellectual curiosity, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the world,” Avilez said in the email.