AMES – Laura Dunn Jolly, professor of textiles, merchandising and interiors at the University of Georgia, Athens, has been appointed the next dean and Dean’s Chair of the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State University. She will begin July 5.
“Laura is an accomplished leader with outstanding experience in teaching, research, and extension and outreach,” said ISU President Steven Leath. “I am confident she will build upon Iowa State’s excellent reputation in the human sciences, broaden the range of interdisciplinary experiences available to our students and faculty, and expand the college’s impact in every corner of the state and beyond.”
Jolly holds master’s (1979) and doctoral (1983) degrees in clothing, textiles, and merchandising from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Her academic career also includes appointments at Texas Tech University, Lubbock; Oklahoma State; the University of Kentucky, Lexington; and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Since joining the University of Georgia in 2007, Jolly served for three years as dean and associate director of cooperative extension and experiment station in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, and five years as vice president for instruction. Jolly also served for six years as chair of interior design, merchandising and textiles at the University of Kentucky.
“I am honored to serve as dean of the College of Human Sciences,” Jolly said. “It’s a great and diverse college with an exceptional history and a bright future. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and alumni to help our programs reach new heights, and equip our 5,000 students with the skills and cultural literacy necessary to improve the human condition.”
The College of Human Sciences includes the departments of apparel, events and hospitality management; food science and human nutrition; human development and family studies; kinesiology; and the School of Education. The college serves Iowans in all 99 counties through Human Sciences Extension and Outreach, and operates several clinics and research centers, as well as a Child Development Laboratory School on the Iowa State campus.
In making the announcement, Senior Vice President and Provost Jonathan Wickert praised retiring dean Pam White for her leadership of the college, and members of the search committee for their thoughtful consideration of candidates.
