Kathleen Rountree appointed CLASS dean
Kathleen Rountree
- March 12, 2012
Kathleen Rountree, interim dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) at California State University, East Bay, since July 2010, has been appointed to the permanent position following a nationwide search. The announcement was made March 12 by James Houpis, CSUEB provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Prior to her arrival at Cal State East Bay, Rountree – a professor of music – served a three-year appointment as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Ithaca College, a liberal arts institution in New York. Her background in music and organizing public performances, she said, prepared her well for leadership roles by giving her experience in collaborating with colleagues, planning and logistics and interacting with members of the community.
"Dr. Rountree is an accomplished educational leader who brings a history of successful administrative leadership as well as a storied and distinguished career as a faculty member," said Leroy M. Morishita, CSUEB president. "We are most pleased that she has joined our university community and we look forward to her contributions in advancing the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences and Cal State East Bay."
“I am pleased with the accomplishments in CLASS under Kathleen’s leadership as interim dean,” said Houpis. “Her outstanding leadership skills and previous extensive administrative experience have proved invaluable in leading the college through very difficult times. She has been working effectively with the college’s faculty and staff and I see great potential for the future of the college.”
Prior to her Ithaca College responsibilities, she had been associate provost for undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro from 2004-2007; dean and professor of music for the University of Northern Colorado’s College of Music and Visual Arts (2001-2004), and associate dean for graduate studies for Louisiana State University’s College of Music and Dramatic Arts (1998-2001).
Rountree served on the faculty of Louisiana State University, advancing from assistant professor to associate professor (tenured 1992) to professor.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with the faculty and staff of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences as we work toward our mutual goals of affording students opportunities for access and success, supporting faculty teaching and scholarship, and enriching the campus and community through cultural and intellectual events and outreach,” Rountree said. “I am confident that we will find creative solutions to challenges, and exciting ways to seize new opportunities.”
Rountree earned her bachelor of music degree in 1973 from East Carolina University; her master of music degree in 1976 from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; and her doctor of music in 1985 from Florida State University.