Academic Career & Executive Search Places Dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University
July 11, 2023 – After a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Chris Culbertson as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University (K-State). Dr. Culbertson, interim dean for nearly a year, has also served as a professor of chemistry and associate dean of research and graduate studies. He was appointed to the post by Charles Taber, provost and executive vice president. Managing partner Jennifer Muller led the assignment for the search firm.
As dean, Dr. Culbertson serves as chief academic and administrative officer for the college. He leads all academic programs, promotes high-quality student experiences, supports effective academic advising, and builds continued excellence and growth in research and engagement. He is also charged with supporting recruitment and retention work, addressing budget planning and management, collaborating with university and community partners on interdisciplinary and cooperative initiatives, and leading the college in strategic planning.
“Dr. Culbertson brings a wealth of experience in leadership, research, teaching and service to the dean role,” said Dr. Taber. “His passion for research excellence, student success and university engagement will serve the college and the university well. We look forward to his continued strategic vision as he leads the College of Arts and Sciences into the future.”
Dr. Culbertson joined K-State as an assistant professor in 2002. He was promoted to associate professor in 2008 and professor in 2018. He co-founded the molecular biosensing diagnostics lab in 2017 and became associate dean for research in 2019.
A Distinguished Career
He has received many honors, including the Stamey Award for Undergraduate Advising in 2010 and 2013 and a National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2006. Other honors include the Karcher Medal from the University of Oklahoma, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of West Florida, the Segebrecht Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science.
Dr. Culbertson has authored more than 65 publications, journal articles or book chapters, and has presented his work nationally and internationally. He also holds nine patents and has four patent applications pending. Dr. Culbertson was listed as being in the top two percent of cited researchers in the world, according to studies conducted by Stanford University based on information from 2020 and 2021.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to serve and work with the students, faculty and staff of the college,” said Dr. Culbertson. “I look forward to completing our strategic plan that will help guide us to be a great 21st century land-grant college of arts and sciences.”
Academic Career & Executive Search Spearheads Efforts to Find an Inclusion and Belonging Leader for Boise State University
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been selected by Boise State University to lead its search for a vice provost for inclusion and belonging. This executive serves as a senior official charged with leading and coordinating the efforts in academic affairs to support a richly diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and faculty. According to ACES, this position provides visionary and collaborative leadership, working with the president, provost, deans, other academic leadership, and human resources to facilitate an integrated vision and shared responsibility for advancing institutional goals of fostering a healthy, supportive campus culture for all.
Founded in 1862, Kansas State University was the first land grant university created under the Morrill Act. Based in Manhattan, KS, K-State has nearly 24,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The university has nine academic colleges and offers more than 250 majors and options. The graduate school offers 73 masterâs degrees, 44 doctoral degrees, and 43 graduate certificates in multiple disciplines. The Princeton Review recognizes the university as one of the nationâs best colleges and the association of Public and Land-grant Universities designated Kansas State University as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University.
Experienced Recruiters
Based in West Hartford, CT, Academic Career & Executive Search focuses on executive search services, career planning, and candidate coaching. Specializing in challenging faculty to senior administrative positions, the firm offers six a la carte services spanning full search, candidate generation, interim, multi-hire, and contingency search. Candidate support services include webinars, career planning, and candidate coaching. Its team has served in virtually every capacity in higher education including president, vice president, provost, dean, chief human research officer, and faculty members across all types and sizes of institutions.
Ms. Muller has more than 20 years of research and development experience in higher education and Fortune 500 companies. She has led over 70 higher education searches both domestically and internationally spanning presidents, vice presidents, associate chancellors, deans, directors, chairs, and faculty level positions. She is former vice chair of the American Council on Education (ACE) Executive Search Roundtable and serves as an advisor in the numerous ACE leadership development forums.
Related: Academic Career & Executive Search Seeks Provost for Clarkson University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor â Hunt Scanlon Media
