OSU arts dean to take broader post in Cincinnati

20-year veteran to lead College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning

COLUMBUS – Ohio State University’s dean of the College of the Arts has accepted a similar post at the University of Cincinnati as dean of the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, one of UC’s top colleges.

Judith Smith Koroscik, a 20-year Ohio State veteran, has been dean since 1997. Her new position is effective Aug. 1.

“I have great affection for OSU,” Koroscik said. “My experience here has been enormously rewarding, and I will miss being part of this great university. OSU's College of the Arts offers many exceptional programs in the visual and performing arts.”

Executive Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray said Koroscik’s new position “represents an opportunity for personal and professional growth and development for Judith and, for her, provided an irresistible chance to expand her experiences as dean. President Kirwan and I know that she will do an excellent job in her new position at Cincinnati, and we wish her the very best.”

At UC, Koroscik will lead a college that includes undergraduate and graduate degree programs and research/creative activities tied to professional practice in the fields of design, architecture, art, and planning. During her years at Ohio State, her research focused on examining how the visual arts foster intellectual development. An advocate for technology and research in the arts and design, Koroscik served as co-chair of the Ohio Board of Regents’ Information Technology Task Force and helped plan the state’s investment in technology.

Ray said he will recommend an interim dean to President William E. Kirwan before Koroscik’s departure after consulting broadly with the college’s faculty, staff, and students.

“Change is part of the rhythm at a university,” Ray said, “particularly a large teaching and research campus where good people are hired away and good people are hired. While we are losing Judith, I am extremely encouraged that during the last several months, we have brought on Elizabeth R. Lenz as dean of nursing, chosen James C. Williams as dean of engineering, and recommended Nancy Hardin Rogers as dean of the College of Law. As much as I hate to see any of our leaders go elsewhere, other universities seek them out by virtue of their accomplishments here. I am certain that, with outstanding appointments like these, we will be able to continue to move toward achieving the university’s high aspirations with our resources at hand and our ingenuity.”

A full search for a permanent dean of national reputation will begin soon.

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