SAINT PETER, Minn. (April 7, 2022) – Gustavus Adolphus College Associate Provost and Dean of Sciences and Education Dr. Valerie Banschbach has been named Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Portland in Oregon. She will begin her tenure at the university on July 1, 2022.
“While we are sad to see Valerie leave Gustavus, we are excited for her to take on this new opportunity to lead and serve at the University of Portland,” Gustavus Provost and Dean of the College Dr. Brenda Kelly said. “Valerie is the consummate professional as an academic leader, always balancing the needs of students and faculty with the institution’s strategic initiatives in a thoughtful, transparent, and forward-thinking manner.”
“During her nearly three-decade long academic career, Dr. Banschbach has engaged in research and excellent teaching, chaired departments, developed innovative academic programs, and championed efforts centered on shared governance, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion,” University of Portland Acting President and Provost Dr. Herbert A. Medina said. “She truly brings a breadth and wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as a deep commitment and passion for the liberal arts with her to The Bluff.”
Banschbach previously served as the chair of the biology department and founding director of environmental studies at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont before moving to Roanoke College (Va.), where she was an active teacher-scholar as professor and chair of environmental studies. A celebrated educator who has developed new course offerings both domestically and abroad, she recently served as the President of the Association for Environmental Studies and Science and won the 2019 Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. Banschbach holds a bachelor of arts in biology from Pomona College and a doctorate in biology from the University of Miami.