Clear, Ambitious Vision

Michael Elliott, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of English, has been named dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences after serving as interim dean since August 2016.

“Michael is an exceptional and respected leader with a clear, ambitious vision for the teaching and research mission of Emory College,” says President Claire E. Sterk. “His commitment to Emory’s values, combined with his dedication to academic excellence, will have broad impact on the students and faculty of Emory College and throughout the university.”

The university’s core undergraduate division includes more than 5,600 students and 550 faculty. As interim dean, Elliott worked closely with faculty and other stakeholders to set strategic priorities for the college, took an active role in supporting the Undergraduate Experience Initiative, and began implementing new efforts to diversify the faculty and improve recruitment and retention of top scholars. He also has engaged with alumni and donors around the country in support of the Scholarship Endowment Initiative.

“Emory College is dedicated to integrating the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge—and the creativity of our faculty and students constantly astounds me. One of my primary goals as dean is to find ways for that enterprise to have an even greater impact on the world,” says Elliott.

Paul Marthers has been appointed vice provost for enrollment management, a new position. He will lead enrollment and retention efforts of the university’s four undergraduate schools and play a key role in shaping the Emory student experience.

“Paul brings a wealth of experience in enrollment management from a variety of different colleges and universities. He understands the incredibly exciting upward trajectory Emory is on to create an even richer and more holistic approach to the undergraduate experience at Emory. And he joins a team ready to support his leadership in this critically important area for Emory’s future,” says Dwight McBride, Emory’s newly appointed provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Marthers comes to Emory from the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration, where he served since 2014 as associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and student success, and was the chief enrollment and student affairs officer for the SUNY system.