Dean finalists to visit campus

Four finalists in the search for the next dean of Central Michigan University's College of the Arts and Media will visit campus during the week of Nov. 29.

Forums will provide members of the CMU community with opportunities to meet and engage with each candidate. Open forums are scheduled from 1-1:50 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 29-Dec. 3. Attendees can join the candidates in Staples Family Concert Hall in the Music Building, and virtually via the links below, which are also available through the  Office of the Provost website.

Monday, Nov. 29: Michael Thrasher

Michael Thrasher currently serves as the associate dean for academic affairs and director of graduate studies in the College of Music at Florida State University, positions he has held since 2016. During his tenure as associate dean, Thrasher assumed the leadership position of interim dean of the College of Music, from July 2020-January 2021. Thrasher is also a tenured associate professor of music at FSU.

Before joining FSU, Thrasher served as the director of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Tyler, and as the director of recruitment and admissions in the Department of Music at North Dakota State University.

Thrasher earned a Bachelor of Music Education at Northwestern State University, a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of North Texas, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance at the University of North Texas.

Thrasher's open forum will be held from 1-1:50 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 29, in the Staples Family Concert Hall and virtually via the link above and through the Office of the Provost website. Students will have an additional opportunity to engage with Thrasher from 3-3:50 p.m. in Moore Hall 110 and virtually via the link available through the  Office of the Provost website.

Tuesday, Nov. 30: Jefferson Campbell

Jefferson Campbell joined the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2005, as a professor of bassoon, and has held various leadership positions, including department head of Music, the interim associate dean of the School of Fine Arts, interim associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and interim associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, a position he has held since July of 2021.

Campbell earned a Bachelor of Music Education at Western Kentucky University, a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Campbell's open forum will be held from 1-1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, in the Staples Family Concert Hall and virtually via the link above and through the  Office of the Provost website. Students will have an additional opportunity to engage with Campbell from 3-3:50 p.m. in Moore Hall 110 and virtually via the link available through the  Office of the Provost website.

Thursday, Dec. 2: Kelly Burke

Kelly Burke currently serves as the vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the graduate school at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, a position she has held for the last five years. Prior to this leadership role, Burke served as associate dean in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and as the head of the Department of Music Performance. Burke is also a professor of music at UNCG.

Burke earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance and Music Education at The Eastman School of Music, a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance at the University of Michigan, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution at UNCG.

Burke's open forum will be held from 1-1:50 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, in the Staples Family Concert Hall and virtually via the link above and through the  Office of the Provost website. Students will have an additional opportunity to engage with Burke from 3-3:50 p.m. in Moore Hall 110 and virtually via the link available through the  Office of the Provost website.

Friday, Dec. 3: Jeff Ward

Jeff Ward joined Kansas State University in 2016 as the director of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, and is also a professor of music education in the School. Prior to coming to KSU, Ward served as an associate dean in the College of Fine Arts and Communication at East Carolina University and as an associate director of choral activities.

Ward earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Rollins College, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education (Conducting) at Shenandoah Conservatory.

Ward's open forum will be held from 1-1:50 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, in the Staples Family Concert Hall and virtually via the link above and through the Office of the Provost website. Students will have an additional opportunity to engage with Ward from 3-3:50 p.m. in Moore Hall 110 and virtually via the link available through the  Office of the Provost website.

In August, Provost and Executive Vice President Mary Schutten appointed a search committee, led by Ray Christie, senior vice provost for academic administration, to conduct a national search for the next dean, with assistance from Greenwood/Asher & Associates.