Last year’s prevention of a gathering to welcome Lynne Kiorpes’s deanship enabled an especially festive joint reception last week, as Arts & Science celebrated not one, but two new deans.
Lynne Kiorpes became Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Science on June 1, 2021, and Wendy Suzuki began her tenure as Seryl Kushner Dean of the College of Arts & Science on September 1, 2022.
Dean of Arts & Science Antonio Merlo and President of NYU Andrew Hamilton led the congratulations. Dean Merlo pointed out that both deans were homegrown to Arts & Science, each building a distinguished career in neuroscience over decades at NYU. He also praised both for their notable dedication to Arts & Science’s core teaching mission.
President Hamilton expressed his admiration for both new deans, along with deep gratitude for academics with busy research and teaching careers who, like Dean Kiorpes and Dean Suzuki, take on crucial administrative leadership roles.
In her remarks, Dean Kiorpes thanked those who had mentored her throughout her career and in the first year of her deanship, and shared her vision for building mentorship and internship opportunities for GSAS students.
“The last year has shown us how fortunate we were when Lynne took on the GSAS deanship,” said Dean Merlo. “She is passionate about the enormous potential of graduate education, not just for students and their own careers, but for the way that education impacts society at large through our students.”
Dean Suzuki shared her own vision for decreasing students’ stress and improving connection, while making it easier for students to take advantage of all that CAS and NYU have to offer.
“Wendy’s research background, passion for cognitive and emotional brain health, and devotion to the undergraduate experience make her a powerful advocate for our students.” said Dean Merlo. “She has hit the ground running, and I am very excited for what her deanship will bring.”