Dr. Jesse Peters selected as dean of the FLC School of Arts & Sciences

The Fort Lewis College (FLC) School of Arts & Sciences has its new dean. Dr. Jesse Peters was announced as the new head of the school by FLC Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Barbara Morris. Dr. Peters will be taking over for Dr. Maureen Brandon, who is retiring this summer.

“I am excited to take on the role of dean of Arts and Sciences at Fort Lewis College because I see the school as a place where faculty and staff work together to create a unique and supportive community, one focused on the education of a growing and diverse student population,” says Dr. Peters. “My background in Native American studies and the fact that I am a first-generation college student drew me to apply for this position. I believe I will fit in well at Fort Lewis and am eager to help strengthen the educational opportunities available to students.”

Dr. Peters is coming from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), where he is a professor of English and American Indian studies. He has served as dean of the Esther G. Maynor Honors College and the director of the Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity Center. He is a two-time winner of the UNCP Award for Outstanding Teaching.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory University, and a master’s and doctorate from the University of New Mexico.

“I want to thank the search committee for doing a fabulous job,” says Dr. Morris. “There were over 170 applicants and, in the end, they unanimously recommended a candidate that has a wide breadth of experience, but whose research directly relates to our diverse student population as a Native American Literature Scholar.”

The Fort Lewis College School of Arts & Sciences enrolls more than 2,500 students, including some of FLC’s fastest growing programs.