New campus leadership named

Jeffrey Mason

Jeffrey Mason has been named the new dean of the College of Arts and Letters. The appointment, which was made after a national search, will be effective Jan. 3, 2006.

Nancy Tooker, who has been serving as acting dean since August 2004, will remain in the position through the fall 2005 semester.

Mason is currently the head of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon, where is a professor. Prior to his position at Oregon, Mason was a professor of theater at California State University, Bakersfield and chair of its Fine Arts Department from 1991-97. He also served as artistic director for the Kern Art Theatre.

Mason is an alumnus of Sacramento State, where he earned a master’s degree in drama. He also holds a doctorate in dramatic art from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in English and music from Stanford University. In addition to directing 50 theater productions, he has written three books and numerous articles in the professional field.

In a statement to the campus community announcing Mason’s appointment, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ric Brown said, “Dr. Mason brings an excellent blend of teaching, scholarship, administration, and community involvement to his new role as dean.”

Otis Scott

Otis Scott has been named interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. The one-year appointment became effective June 1 while Dean Joseph Sheley is serving as the University’s interim executive vice president.

Scott recently completed his third year as the College’s associate dean. Previously he served as chair of the Ethnic Studies department for 21 years and as the coordinator of the Social Science program. He has served as chair of the University’s General Education Committee and as a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.

Scott is a past president of the National Association for Ethnic Studies and was recently appointed editor of the association's journal. His research emphasis is in U.S. institutional structures and their impact on the cultural development of African Americans and people of color. He has published four books on the topic along with numerous book chapters, book reviews and journal articles.

He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in government from Sacramento State and a doctorate from Union Graduate School.