We are proud to announce that Dr. Susan Lewis has been selected as the new Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2016. She will be the ninth Dean since Fine Arts became a faculty in 1969, and has already been serving as Acting Dean for the 2015/16 academic year.
New Dean of Fine Arts, Dr. Susan Lewis
“I know the Faculty will continue to benefit from her leadership and I am sure will join me in congratulating Dr. Lewis,” says Dr. Valerie S. Kuehne, UVic’s Vice-President Academic and Provost.
Prior to stepping into the role of Acting Dean, Dr. Lewis was the Director of the School of Music, and the School’s Acting Director in 2010 and 2012; she originally joined the School as an Assistant Professor in 2001. She holds a PhD in Musicology from Princeton University, a Master of Fine Arts (Princeton), Master of Music (University of Arizona), and Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from Queen’s University. Her international experience includes a year of study at the University of Glasgow and University of Edinburgh, and active research networks that span North America and Europe.
“I was honoured to be appointed to the role of Acting Dean and to work together on key priorities of enhancing student success, highlighting research and creative activity, and building community this past year,” says Lewis.
“I had the privilege of learning more about the excellence that’s happening in every department and school, and the topics and methods of the Faculty’s research and creative practice — whether informally at monthly Fine Arts cafes, at research networking events, in individual and group meetings, and by attending productions, concerts, readings, and exhibits. What an amazing group of talented artists, practitioners, and scholars we have.”
One of the highlights of her term as Acting Dean was connecting with students, faculty, and staff, as well as advocating for Fine Arts across campus and in the greater community. With a distinguished record of achievement as a researcher, teacher and administrator, Lewis has a successful track record of arts advocacy, leadership, and support with a strong emphasis on student success, teaching excellence, creative activity, experiential learning, and research-inspired teaching.
Dr Lewis presiding at Fine Arts convocation in June 2016, with double-medal winner Kelsey Wheatley
Her extensive experience serving on a number of regional, national, and international organizations — including the American Musicological Society, Canadian University Music Society, Society for Seventeenth-Century Music, the Canadian Association of Fine Arts Deans, and Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences — will benefit the Faculty in the years to come.
Looking ahead to her five-year term as Dean, Lewis finds strength in our history. “With Fine Arts being one of only a few freestanding faculties in the country whose focus is entirely devoted to performance, arts scholarship, and creative expression, this gives us an edge as we look to enhance synergies across the faculty, campus and into the community.”
Already a very familiar face in classrooms, meetings and at events across campus, Lewis expects a smooth transition to her new role.
“Since I joined the Faculty in 2001, I’ve found deep satisfaction in my work with students, instructors, and staff, in my own creative engagement as a scholar of music and performance practice, and in my service as Director of the School of Music and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. I am deeply invested in the UVic community and delighted to begin my term as Dean of Fine Arts.”
The entire Faculty of Fine Arts formally welcomes Dr. Lewis to her new role, and looks forward to working together in the coming years.