Long-Time, Respected Colorado State Administrator Named Interim Dean of Liberal Arts

Colorado State University officials today announced that long-time and well-respected faculty member and administrator Ann Gill will serve as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts while the university conducts a national search to permanently fill the position. Gill, currently the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will begin her new position July 5.

"Dr. Gill is an experienced and successful scholar-educator who is very familiar with Colorado State," said senior vice president and interim provost Anthony Frank. "I have every confidence that she will provide outstanding leadership during this time of transition."

Late last week, liberal arts dean Heather Hardy announced that she will be taking on a position as dean of a new liberal arts college at the University of Reno-Nevada.

"I am grateful that Ann Gill is willing to serve as interim dean to provide continuity for the college," said Hardy. "Ann has served with distinction as associate dean, and I look forward to working closely with her to effect a smooth transition over the next few weeks."

Gill has served at Colorado State for 25 years. She began at the university in 1980 as an instructor in the Department of Speech Communication. Obtaining the position of assistant professor in 1986, Gill was quickly promoted, being named associate professor in 1988 and professor in 1994. She was named chair of the speech communication department in 1990 and served in that leadership position until 2001. Gill also served as special assistant to the dean of liberal arts from 1999-2001 before being named associate dean of the college in 2001.

Gill received her bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Western State College in 1974, a master’s in speech communication from Colorado State University in 1976, her juris doctor degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1979, and her doctoral degree in speech communication from the University of Denver in 1986.

Among her many honors, Gill received the Rocky Mountain Communication Association Distinguished Service Award in 2003, Qwest DEX Outstanding Educator Award in 2001, Eddy Honor’s Program Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000, Alumni Association Best Teacher Award in 1998, Oliver Pennock Distinguished Service Award in 1995 and the Governing Board Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1994 among several other accolades. She has authored or coauthored 2 books and 16 journal articles, book chapters, book reviews and other published works.

Gill served as the first female president of the national Cross Examination Debate Association, on the Board of Overseers for the Guild of Forensics Educators and as president of the Colorado Speech Communication Association, as well as held many other leadership positions in professional and academic associations.

At Colorado State, Gill serves as director of the College of Liberal Arts commencement and has served as chair of the Commission on Women and Gender Equity, on the Diversity Coordinating Committee and on the NCAA Self-Study Committee. She has additionally worked on dozens of other search, review and advisory committees at the university.

-30-