Call for nominations — College of Design dean search advisory committee

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that we will begin the search process for a permanent dean to lead the College of Design and its community as they continue being a leading force in the design disciplines, dedicated to building a collegial environment committed to excellence. Ned Crankshaw has served as dean since July 2024, and he will be retiring after his term concludes. We thank him for his service in this key leadership role for the University of Kentucky and for his unwavering dedication to our students and the college.

The College of Design is a vibrant academic community and a dynamic hub for regional, national and global conversations surrounding design’s impact on our lives. Shaped by the distinctive character of the region, the breadth of their disciplines and the varied backgrounds of their students, faculty and staff, they are supported by the resources and infrastructure of a leading Research 1, land-grant university.

The search process will begin soon with the goal of the college’s next dean joining us by July 1, 2027. The first step in the search process is to form a search advisory committee, comprising faculty, staff, students and alumni, that will recommend qualified candidates for my consideration.  

To nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the search advisory committee, please click here. All recommendations are confidential. Nominations are due by noon on Tuesday, October 20.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact Shavonna Ross, director of operations (shav.ross@uky.edu).

Thank you in advance for your valuable input. We appreciate all that you do to advance Kentucky.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost