New dean appointed to College of Arts and Letters
Michael Horswell, former associate to the dean, took over June 1.
College of Arts and Letters Dean Michael J. Horswell hosted a conversation Tuesday about the current social climate in the country. Photo courtesy of FAU College of Arts and Letters
August 4, 2017
When Michael Horswell started at the College of Arts and Letters 19 years ago, he never imagined one day becoming the dean.
Horswell worked as a professor before becoming one of the associates to the former dean, Heather Coltman, five years ago.
Former dean Coltman left to start a new position as provost and senior vice president of James Madison University earlier this year. Before his selection, the university conducted a national search for a new dean.
Horswell said he looks to improve the university’s undergraduate research program, which gives undergraduate students the opportunity for grants to do on-site research.
He hopes to “increase the value of the degrees FAU students earn by investing in faculty and research.”
The former Spanish and Latin American literature professor wants to introduce a new degree in international studies to prepare students for a “global society.” He plans on showcasing work from the Caribbean and South America as well.
Since Horswell took over as dean June 1, he’s hired two new faculty members to the School of Communications and Multimedia Studies’ journalism program — Student Media adviser Adam Smith and professor Christina DeWalt.
Nicole Pujazon is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet her @NicolePujazon.
