Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts Dean to Retire
Cal Poly today announced that Doug Epperson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will retire in August 2018.
“Under Dean Epperson's leadership, the College of Liberal Arts has achieved a new level of excellence,” said Kathleen Enz Finken, Cal Poly’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “He has been instrumental in understanding and promoting the critical role of the arts, humanities and social sciences in our polytechnic environment.”
Dean Epperson will retire in August 2018 after 6 years.
Epperson has been the dean of Cal Poly's College of Liberal Arts since 2012. Prior to that appointment, he served as dean at Washington State University and associate dean at Iowa State University, where he was an administrator and professor in the Psychology Department for more than 25 years.
“This was an enormously difficult decision to make, because I have greatly enjoyed my time at Cal Poly,” said Epperson. “I have never worked with a better or more collaborative and effective group. My only regret is that I was not able to spend more of my career with such a fine college at such an excellent university.”
Epperson has been a strong proponent for interdisciplinary collaboration at Cal Poly. He helped to introduce four new minors that combine the studies of science, technology and society. He is also committed to diversity and inclusion. He formed a standing inclusivity and diversity committee for both students and faculty, and he hired an associate dean for diversity and curriculum.
Outside of higher education, Epperson was chair of the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs and was a fellow for the American Psychological Association, Society of Counseling Psychology.
Enz Finken said the university will begin the recruitment process for the college’s next dean this fall, with the aim of appointing the next dean before summer.