Gubbels appointed inaugural CAS dean
After 15 years of teaching at Augustana, Jennifer Gubbels, associate professor of biology and division chair of natural sciences, will serve as the inaugural dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) starting July 1, 2025.
Gubbels’ appointment marks a key step in Provost Joel Johnson’s plan to restructure the CAS, which was announced in February of this year. The plan replaces three rotating division chairs with one dean and five area chairs, who will manage clusters of departments.
“This is a big moment for Augustana’s faculty and students, particularly for those in the core liberal arts disciplines,” Johnson wrote in an April 4 announcement email to faculty. “Under Jenny’s dedicated leadership, though, I am confident that CAS will thrive.”
Gubbels was selected from a pool of three finalists, including the philosophy department's David O’Hara and biology department's Mark Larson. She said her decision to apply came after “a long discernment process.”
“I was ready in both my teaching and research for a new challenge,” Gubbels said. “The challenge of teaching isn’t as big as it used to be. I mean, I’ve been here for 15 years, so I’ve taught these classes lots of times.”
Gubbels explained that her research is at a pretty good stopping point and that, after a year of sabbatical, she felt the timing was right to take on the new role.
Senior biology student Samantha Knudson worked closely with Gubbels in Gubbels’ research lab. Knudson believes Gubbels will be an effective leader for the CAS.
“I think Dr. Gubbels is actually a perfect fit,” Knudson said. “Her ability to bridge the sciences and the humanities makes her uniquely qualified to lead the College of Arts and Sciences, and I believe her commitment to academic excellence, scientific integrity and the humanities will lead her to be an exceptional dean that represents the best of what Augustana stands for.”
As the inaugural dean, Gubbels plans to focus on two main pillars: supporting faculty in teaching and professional development and uniting the CAS as one unified academic unit.
“That word itself — division — is divisive,” Gubbels said. “Now that the divisions are gone, we can kind of think of ourselves as one.”
Gubbels hopes to improve training for department and area chairs, make it easier for faculty to grow in their teaching and research and help them find more funding opportunities. She also hopes to unify departments by encouraging more communication and collaboration across the university.
Gubbels described the role of dean as working across three levels: internal, administrative and external. Internally, she will focus on faculty support, budgets and academic operations. At the administrative level, she will advocate for CAS within university leadership. Externally, she plans to seek out grant opportunities and donors to help fund faculty development and student research.
One challenge Gubbels faces is the uncertainty surrounding the new CAS leadership structure, particularly concerns from some faculty about the removal of automatic course releases — permission to reduce teaching loads — for department chairs.
Gubbels noted that there is still a pool of course releases available, which can be allocated to department chairs when needed for tasks like research or other significant responsibilities.
Ultimately, she views the process as one of continuous adaptation.
“I think it’s a matter of steering the ship while it’s sailing and trying to figure out where the pressure points are in addressing them as they come up,” Gubbels said.
As she looks to the future, Gubbels is excited and grateful to take on the challenge of leading the CAS.
“I enjoy thinking through complicated problems, and this job will offer plenty of them,” Gubbels said. “I’m excited to hear everyone’s ideas, and I’m going to show up every day and do my best for Augustana.
