Valerie Banschbach was appointed to be the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Acting President and Provost Herbert Medina announced in an email to the University community on April 7.
Banschbach previously worked at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota as the associate provost and dean of Sciences and Education for almost three years. Her first day will be July 1, taking over for Norah Martin, the interim CAS dean.
Recipient of a State Council of Higher Education Outstanding Faculty Award during her time as a professor and Chair of Environmental Studies at Roanoke College, Banschbach also served as a Fulbright Nehru Senior Scholar.
For six months in Uttarakhand, India, Banschbach taught graduate-level students in a Wildlife Science program while conducting research on ants as bioindicators of the impacts of organic farming.
With a bachelor's degree and Ph.D. in Biology, Banschbach is also appointed as a tenured professor in UP’s Department of Environmental Studies.
Banschbach’s academic experience, commitment and passion for UP’s Catholic mission is what makes her “the right person to lead the College of Arts and Sciences into its next chapter,” Medina said in the email.
“At UP, dedication to academic excellence and innovation is matched by devotion to student formation,” Banschbach said in the email sent by Medina. “The warmth and vibrancy of the UP community shines through the way faculty, staff, and students speak about their work. I am so pleased and honored to join this community.”
Janea Melido is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at melido24@up.edu.
