I am very happy to announce professor Alain-Philippe Durand as the next dean of the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona. Durand will assume the deanship on July 1, succeeding Dean Mary Wildner-Bassett who is returning to the faculty.

Durand, known to colleagues as "A-P", currently serves as director of the School of International Languages, Literatures and Cultures, director of the Africana Studies Program, and as interim head of the Department of French and Italian where he is a tenured full professor. Durand's research expertise and teaching include contemporary French literature, Brazilian literature, French Cinema, Hip-Hop Culture, and Cultural and Literary Theory and Criticism. He has authored and edited four books in addition to many scholarly articles, chapters and reviews. Durand is a noted speaker in many national and international venues, and his teaching excellence has been recognized with the prestigious Five Star Faculty Award from the UA Honors College. Prior to coming to the UA in 2010, Durand was at the University of Rhode Island. He received his Ph.D. in 1999 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I wish to thank the search committee for their excellent and thorough work, and I extend special thanks to dean Ron Marx for chairing the committee. Many thanks also to all the members of the College who took the time to participate in the selection process.

Durand brings excitement and energy to his vision for the College, infused with his passion for contemporary and popular culture as well as a strong interest in interdisciplinary work and a record of entrepreneurial leadership. Please join me in congratulating A-P Durand on his selection and welcoming him to the position of Dean of the College of Humanities.

-Andrew C. Comrie

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost