Appointment of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

March 14, 2025

Dear Pitzer Community,

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Chawne Kimber as Pitzer’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, effective July 1, 2025. A distinguished mathematician, administrator, and artist, Dr. Kimber brings a wealth of experience in higher education leadership and a deep commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, and intercultural understanding—values at the core of Pitzer’s mission.

Chawne comes to Pitzer from Washington and Lee University, where she has served as the Dean of the College, overseeing 21 departments and 13 interdisciplinary programs. Prior to that, she was a professor and head of the Mathematics Department at Lafayette College, where she played a key role in fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation in STEM education. She co-founded the Summer Program to Advance Leadership in STEM, an initiative supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her leadership in these spaces demonstrates her dedication to educational excellence and equity, aligning with Pitzer’s long-standing commitment to social justice and transformative learning experiences for our students.

A native of Kentucky, Chawne began her academic journey at the University of Florida, where she initially pursued engineering before transitioning to mathematics. She completed her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Her research in mathematics bridges abstract algebra and topology, and she is also known for integrating social justice themes into her teaching, exemplifying Pitzer’s emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

Beyond her academic and administrative accomplishments, Chawne is an internationally recognized textile artist whose works explore themes of race, identity, and activism. Influenced by her family's legacy of quilting in Alabama, she has exhibited her work at prestigious institutions, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Her quilts, described as simultaneously contemporary and deeply rooted in historical traditions, have received acclaim for their thought-provoking narratives and bold artistic expression.

Chawne’s leadership, scholarship, and artistic contributions make her an excellent addition to the Pitzer community and prepare her well to lead academic affairs and our exceptional faculty. Her commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and civic engagement will further elevate the College’s efforts to cultivate socially responsible citizens of the world. We are excited for the vision and dedication she brings to our community and look forward to the impact she will have in advancing academic excellence and fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment at Pitzer.

As she prepares to join the Pitzer community, Chawnee expressed her enthusiasm for the College: “In service of the mission and core values, the faculty and staff of Pitzer have shown themselves to be passionate and dedicated, while the students are community-focused and eager to be agents of change. This is a great place to weather the storms outside. Pitzer already feels like home.”

We are grateful for the Advisory Search Committee’s diligent, timely and stellar work in identifying and recommending an excellent slate of candidates to be our next chief academic officer. Committee members included Professors Gautam Agarwal, Menna Bizuneh (chair), Amanda Johnson, Marcus Rodriguez, and Andre Wakefield, staff member Jill Hawthorne, and student Shagan Bhullar. We also appreciate the engagement and feedback from the many members of our community who engaged in the search and with the candidates.

Please join us in welcoming Chawne Kimber to Pitzer College!

Provida Futuri,

Strom C. Thacker
President

Carina Johnson
Chair, and on behalf of, the Faculty Executive Committee