H

eather Coltman, the dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, will step down on July 1 to become provost and senior vice president of James Madison University, according to an email sent out to faculty Tuesday from Coltman.

“While this is a tremendously exciting opportunity, there is no doubt that I will miss all my colleagues here in the College,” Coltman wrote.

After starting out in 1993 as an assistant professor of music, Coltman spent the next 23 years at Florida Atlantic, spending the last five as dean.

Coltman said she considers the school to be her home away from home.

“I have raised my children on this campus, and in the halls of our buildings,” she wrote. “As a faculty member, chair and dean, I have been surrounded by brilliant and fascinating scholars, artists, professionals and students – and it has been a real privilege to forge deep and meaningful friendships and relationships with so many of you.”

On Tuesday, Coltman met with FAU provost Gary Perry to assure him that she will do everything she can to assist in a smooth transition.

“He will meet with the College soon to discuss plans to identify a new dean,” Coltman wrote.

Benjamin Paley is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @benpaley92.