Dr. Brian Monson and Dr. Thomas Dempster have been named associate deans in the Office of Academic Affairs.
Monson, who most recently served as a physics instructor, is the new associate dean for STEM. Monson is in his 22nd year at ASMSA, joining the faculty in August 2000 after previously teaching at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics and the University of Tulsa. He has served as chair of the Science Department since February 2003.
Dempster, a music instructor and conductor of ASMSA’s bands, is the new associate dean for Arts and Humanities. He joined the ASMSA faculty in August 2018 as the school’s first full-time music instructor. He previously taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, South Carolina State University and Claflin University, both in Orangeburg, S.C.
Stuart Flynn, dean of academic affairs, announced the addition of the educators to the academic affairs team earlier this spring. He said they will play an important role in ASMSA’s continued academic development.
“AS ASMSA enters its fourth decade serving Arkansas students, the landscape of education seems to shift every semester,” Flynn said. “Everything is in flux, partly as a result of COVID-19. In such uncertain times, we need experienced educators who are content experts to guide curricular development and ensure instructional effectiveness in ways that reflect the particular needs of STEM as well as Arts and Humanities.”
The associate deans’ primary roles will be to guide curricular development in their respective areas, work closely with teachers to support their classroom and professional needs, and contribute to strategic decisions that will shape ASMSA’s future, Flynn said. The associate deans will continue to teach two courses, which will provide them opportunities to stay engaged in their individual fields as well as in the classroom with students. That will be crucial for their effectiveness, as they must be responsive to the changing needs of students and teachers as well as their continued growth as an educator, he said.
“I think it’s important that they maintain a balance for their own personal fulfillment,” Flynn said in regard to one of the goals of having the associate deans continue to serve as classroom instructors in addition to their new duties. “Both associate deans are accomplished instructors with many years of experience, and teaching is a part of what defines them as individuals. I believe that keeping them in the classroom will result in benefits to them, our students and ASMSA in general.”
Monson said the dual role was one of the reasons he decided to apply for the associate dean for STEM when the new positions were advertised. He also saw it as an opportunity to have a larger role in curriculum development.
“I thought it would be a way to have a bigger say in the administration of the school without completely giving up teaching,” he said. “Curriculum development is primarily done by the Teaching and Learning Committee. This new position will make me a part of that process but not the sole developer of new curriculum. I will be more concerned with ensuring the implementation of the curriculum is consistent across departments.”
Dempster said that continuing to be in the classroom and having student engagement will be integral to the position.
“It will help with student success and retention and to continually refine aspects of the educational experience for our students,” Dempster said. “We’re at a juncture, too, where we are seeing a time where it’s more necessary than ever to understand the world around you; to critically think about the world’s past, present and future; to know what it means to grapple with a subject from multiple perspectives.
“Less globally, particularly with the arts, I’ll be better able to step back, take stock and continue to steer the directions for growth and adaptation in the visual and performing arts at ASMSA. I’m also looking forward to how we can better integrate interdisciplinary approaches into the arts, humanities and STEM fields across the board.”
Flynn said the institutional knowledge both educators already have about ASMSA will be beneficial as well. ASMSA’s unique mission, structure and position within the University of Arkansas System requires thorough knowledge of both ASMSA operations and the system’s expectations and policies.
“Dr. Monson and Dr. Dempster each have that knowledge, and because they are familiar faces to everyone on campus, they bring continuity to these new positions,” Flynn said.
“Both are incisive, even wise. There is little that Dr. Monson has not seen during his time at ASMSA, and in all situations, no matter how difficult, he is calm, thorough and precise in his decision-making, always the scientist.
“Dr. Dempster is a bandleader, so he understands how to bring together disparate personalities for a collective purpose, and I believe that experience and skill will translate well to his new role.”