RWU announced via email that history professor and associate dean Dr. Jeffrey Meriwether has been selected as the new Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts and Education (SHAE). The decision came as a result of previous and inaugural SHAE dean Dr. Cynthia Scheinberg’s return to full-time teaching. Holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Western Washington University, Meriwether has served as a professor of African, European and military history in his 20-year stint at RWU. In addition, Meriwether has a history Ph.D. from the University of Exeter, specializing in British military studies. Meriwether previously served as interim dean when RWU created SHAE in early 2018.

The search for the new SHAE dean lasted four months before Meriwether was selected

“Jeffrey has earned a reputation at RWU as a systems thinker and skillful communicator who is committed to student success. His experience on the faculty, as well as his prior service as interim dean and associate dean, mean he is exceptionally well-prepared to step into this role and lead SHAE,” said RWU President Ionnais Miaoulis in the news release. 

Meriwether himself said in the news release, “I have made RWU my home throughout my career and I am honored to serve now as dean, continuing my collaborative work with the faculty and furthering the development of our outstanding students and alumni.”

Meriwether begins serving as SHAE dean on July 1.