ASU announces new Dean
of Humanities & Social Sciences

The new dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is about to start her first semester. 

Dr. Gloria J. Gibson is the first dean of the newly formed College of Humanities and Social Sciences.  Dr. Andrew Sustich has served as interim dean since the college’s inception July 1, 2003.

Dr. Gibson comes to ASU from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she was an associate professor of folklore and ethnomusicology and associate vice chancellor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

“I am very happy and excited to serve as the Dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. However, this is not my first affiliation with ASU. Dr. Bill Clements invited me to participate in the Delta Symposium several times during the late 1990s. I always enjoyed the symposium and my time at ASU. I never dreamed that I would return to Jonesboro in this capacity. I look forward to meeting the students, faculty, staff and alumni, and working collaboratively to better serve our university community,” Dr. Gibson said.

Her appointment was announced by Dr. Susan Allen, vice chancellor for Research and Academic Affairs.  “Dr. Gibson is not only a fine administrator but also has strong ties to our Heritage Studies Ph.D. Program.  Her scholarship will contribute significantly to our already strong base in this unique multidisciplinary doctoral program.  The faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and in the Heritage Studies Ph.D. Program welcomes her arrival,” said Dr. Allen.

Dr. Gibson completed her B.A. and M.A. in music education at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.  Her Ph.D. in folklore with a concentration in ethnomusicology is from Indiana

University in Bloomington, with minors in Afro-American studies and African studies. She held joint appointments in the Department of Communication and Culture and the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology.

Dr. Gibson has published numerous articles; she authored a book titled, “Frame by Frame II:  A Filmography of the African American Image, 1978-1994,” and has one book-length manuscript in progress.  She has received several grants, presented numerous conference papers and presentations to academic forums, and remains productive in a variety of professional and creative endeavors.

                                                  #  #  #