Turpen Appointed as Interim Dean of UW College of Arts and Sciences

Scott Turpen, who became the acting dean of the University of Wyoming’s College of Arts and Sciences July 1, has been appointed as interim dean by UW’s Board of Trustees.

The action took place Friday at the trustees’ annual off-campus meeting in Pinedale. Under UW regulations, appointment of deans and interim deans requires trustee approval.

Turpen is a longtime Department of Music faculty member who has served as a department head and associate dean of the college. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Georgia.

“It is with excitement and humility that I take on the role of interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences,” Turpen says. “It has been my great pleasure to have worked with the students, staff and faculty of the college during my 21-year career at UW. Our future is bright, and our collaboration will be fundamental to continuing that success.”

Turpen is building his leadership team with the appointment of three new associate deans: Susan Aronstein, a professor of English; Narina Nunez, a professor of psychology; and Karen Bartsch Estes, a professor of psychology.

“All three individuals bring a wealth of experience as successful administrators. Additionally, they are superb members of our faculty who have broad experience with our college,” Turpen says. “They will be key leaders as we move forward to define ourselves as a reorganized college. I am thrilled to begin to work with our new team.”

“I am pleased and grateful for Scott’s willingness to lead the college during this critical time of transition,” says Provost and Executive Vice President Kevin Carman. “I look forward to the vision that Scott and his excellent team will provide in moving the college toward its exciting new identity. I look forward to working with them over the next year, after which we will assess next steps for leadership in the college.”