ASU announces hiring of dean for College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr. Lauri Umansky, an experienced administrator at Suffolk University in Boston, Mass., is the new dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Arkansas State University. Dr. Umansky comes to ASU after serving as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (interim) since 2009 at Suffolk. Dr. Umansky replaces Dr. Gloria Gibson, who left ASU to become executive vice president and provost at the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Carol O'Connor, professor of history, was then named interim dean of the college, and she has served in that capacity for three years.

"I am thrilled to be coming to Arkansas State University. From my first day on campus, I felt the pulse of a university alive with creative and intellectual ferment,” said Dr. Umansky. “ASU is a dynamic institution, offering life-changing educational experiences, and connecting in vital ways to the city of Jonesboro and the world beyond; this is palpable.

“I am honored and humbled to be joining the community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who make ASU what it is."

Prior to her term as the interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Suffolk, Dr. Umansky served as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2004-09. She was also a tenured professor and the department chair in Suffolk’s Department of History from 1999-2004.

“Following a rigorous national search, Dr. Lauri Umansky surfaced as the absolute standout candidate to serve as Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Interim Chancellor Dr. Dan Howard stated. “I am delighted that she will be joining our academic community in this new and important educational leadership capacity.

Howard went on to say, “Unequivocally, I am confident that Dr. Umansky will be highly successful at ASU and I encourage all to support fully her informed vision for the college following due and appropriate consultation with the faculty and other important constituencies.”

While at Suffolk, Dr. Umansky was responsible for planning, accreditation, institutional review and affiliation agreements. She developed and wrote the 2005-10 strategic plan for the College of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, she had oversight of the 18 master’s, eight joint masters, six post-masters’, three graduate certificates and two Ph.D. programs in the College of Arts, and Sciences.

Dr. Umansky worked as an assistant professor and instructor in the history department from 1990-1999, and served as an adjunct lecturer in the history department at Northeastern University in Boston. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of African American Studies at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

She received doctorate in American Civilization in 1994 from Brown University and her masters of arts degree in 1986, also from Brown. Her bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies came from Massachusetts-Boston in 1983, Summa Cum Laude. In 1978, Dr. Umansky earned a certificate in Gestalt Counseling in the Pequod Training Program in Counseling.

Dr. Umansky has co-authored several publications and articles and has extensive experience in speaking and presentation.

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