Scott Turpen

J. Scott Turpen serves as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Wyoming, the university's largest academic college. He provides strategic and academic leadership for 14 departments spanning the social sciences, humanities, and arts. As the academic core of the university, the college serves students across all disciplines through its degree programs, research, creative activities, and extensive contributions to UW's general education curriculum.

 

Since becoming dean, Turpen has advanced significant initiatives focused on student success, academic excellence, institutional innovation, and strengthening the university's connections with communities throughout Wyoming. Among his signature accomplishments are the establishment of the UW Neltje Center, a distinctive resource for creative and intellectual engagement; the creation of the A&S Student Success Center, which strengthens academic support, career preparation, and connections to professional opportunities; and the development of strategic statewide partnerships with organizations including By Western Hands and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. These efforts reflect his commitment to expanding student opportunities while strengthening the university's cultural, educational, and economic contributions to Wyoming.

 

Turpen also served as interim provost and chief academic officer of the University of Wyoming during a period of institutional transition. In this role, he provided university-wide academic leadership, advanced efforts to improve professional academic advising experiences for students across the university, and helped guide the institution through change. His experience as both dean and provost has shaped a collaborative and strategic approach to leadership that emphasizes institutional effectiveness, shared governance, responsible stewardship of resources, and a commitment to the university's land-grant mission.

 

A central focus of Turpen's leadership is ensuring that an arts and sciences education prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world. He has championed stronger connections between academic programs and career opportunities, expanded experiential learning, and greater engagement with employers and community partners. He is particularly interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, and the enduring value of the humanities, social sciences, and arts in preparing graduates for professional and civic leadership.

 

Before becoming dean, Turpen served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of Music.

 

An internationally recognized saxophonist and educator, Turpen has performed throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. His distinguished artistic career includes performances with major symphony orchestras and collaborations with prominent artists including Ray Charles, Doc Severinsen, and Stefon Harris. He has released five solo and chamber music recordings and received numerous honors for teaching, research, and artistic achievement, including UW's Jack P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award and a Wyoming Arts Council Performing Arts Fellowship.

 

Turpen joined the University of Wyoming faculty in 2001.