New Dean, BSU College of Arts & Sciences

Dean Roark

Sherry Squires, BSU News Release

Boise State University has named Tony Roark dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, following a national search.

Roark has served as interim dean of the college since May 2011 and brings to the position nearly five years of leadership experience in the college in the roles of department chair, associate dean and interim dean.

“In addition to his proven effectiveness as a leader, the many strengths highlighted by the search committee include Dr. Roark’s communication and collaboration skills, the ability to empower others and a broad understanding of the arts, sciences and humanities,” said Martin Schimpf, Boise State provost and vice president for academic affairs. “I am confident that Dr. Roark will continue to move the College of Arts and Sciences forward during these challenging times, as higher education struggles to re-invent itself in response to changing professional and economic circumstances in a digital age.”

“These are exciting times in higher education, and Boise State is a particularly dynamic institution,” Roark said. “Knowing what I do about the faculty, staff and students in the College of Arts and Sciences, I’m extraordinarily optimistic that we will not only meet the challenges that we currently face, we will also play a leading role in shaping the future of post-secondary education, research and creative activity within the state of Idaho and beyond. It’s an immense privilege serving our campus community and other stakeholders.”

Roark joined Boise State in 2000 as an adjunct professor of philosophy, served as assistant professor from 2001-2006, associate professor from 2006-2011, chair of the Department of Philosophy from 2007-2009, and was named associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2009.

Roark holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Washington and conducts research in ancient Greek philosophy. From 2008-2011, he co-chaired the Core Reform Task Force, whose charge was to examine Boise State’s general education curriculum and issue recommendations for reform. The recommendations of the task force led to the implementation of Boise State’s Foundational Studies Program.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic unit at Boise State University with 11 departments and seven research units. The college offers a variety of baccalaureate, masters and Ph.D. programs in the arts, sciences and humanities.