DECATUR, Ill. – Effective July 1, 2023, Jessa Wilcoxen, Director and Associate Professor of the , was appointed Interim Dean of the College of Fine Arts at ¼ϲʹٷվ University. She is taking the place of Laura Ledford, who has served in that position since 2012, and will now serve as ¼ϲʹٷվ’s Director of International Programs/Partnerships.
“I am honored to be able to build off of the accomplishments of Laura Ledford’s career as Dean, which include leadership in the building of the impressive Center for Theatre and Dance, the birth of the successful interdisciplinary Arts Technology program, and the launch of the ,” Wilcoxen said.
Wilcoxen has served on ¼ϲʹٷվ’s faculty since 2016 and became the University’s first Director of the School of Art and Creative Media in 2022. Before that, she was the Department Chair of Arts Technology and Administration from 2017 to 2022. Wilcoxen earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis.
“I am proud of the faculty of the now historic Art Department and Arts Technology and Administration Department for embracing the forward change of processes and programs through the 2022 merger into the School of Art and Creative Media,” she said. “Building a new community is always challenging, but this team remained connected to the mission of preparing students for careers in art and media today and in the future.”
¼ϲʹٷվ Provost Mary Black noted that Wilcoxen’s successes during her directorship would translate nicely as the Interim Dean of the College of Fine Arts.
“Professor Wilcoxen has proven herself as a transformative leader as the inaugural Director of the School of Art and Creative Media,” Black said. “Her experience building programs and enrollments in that school will be invaluable as she works to build enrollments, programs, and innovation more broadly in the College of Fine Arts.”
Additionally, the College of Fine Arts leadership will include Rachel Barnett as the Director and Dr. Mirela Tanta as Interim Director of the , who are new to the position effective July 15 and August 1, respectively. Brian Justison will continue as the Director of the .
“By using the strengths of faculty across disciplines in the College of Fine Arts, ¼ϲʹٷվ will be able to support students’ paths to jobs in creative industries more holistically,” Wilcoxen said. “Our community serving platforms, ¼ϲʹٷվ Community Arts Academy and the , will diversify their offerings of lessons, classes, and productions to better serve audiences with a variety of interests in entertainment and the arts.
“The College of Fine Arts will progress on the four quadrants of the university strategic plan: building a sustainable financial model, advancing academic excellence, nurturing a welcoming and inclusive campus and invigorating community partnerships.”
