New BCAS Academic Leadership for 2026-27
BCAS is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Peter Q. Pfordresher as dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The College also announces several colleagues who will assume new leadership roles.
BCAS is pleased to announce the appointment of a new dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The College also announces several colleagues who will assume new leadership roles. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and insight and will help guide BCAS in its continued mission to provide world-class teaching, research and student support.
The University of Akron (UA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Peter Q. Pfordresher to serve as dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 31, 2026.
Pfordresher recently served as associate dean for academic affairs at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, in the College of Arts & Sciences, where he also previously held department chair and director of undergraduate studies roles. As associate dean, Pfordresher was responsible for curriculum development, student academic issues, advising, experiential learning, undergraduate research and allocation of state funding for Ph.D. lines.
Read the full UA news release.
Dr. Todd Gaffke, Director, School of Performing Arts
Gaffke has served as interim director since 2024. During this time, he oversaw the merger of the School of Music and the School of Dance, Theatre and Arts Administration into the School of Performing Arts. He has been at UA since 2013.
Anthony Samangy, Director, Myers School of Art
Samangy has been named director of the Myers School of Art, succeeding Janice Troutman, who is retiring. A professor of graphic design, he has been with UA since 2008.
Dr. Nao Mimoto, Interim Chair, Department of Statistics
Mimoto has served as an associate professor, coordinator of the Actuarial Science Program, and undergraduate academic advisor. He has been at UA since 2012. He succeeds Dr. Mark Fridline, who now serves as director of the new DATA+ Institute.
Dr. Stacey Nofziger, Interim Chair, Department of Sociology
Nofziger has been named interim chair, succeeding Dr. Becky Erickson, who is retiring. She previously served as an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in Sociology and has been with UA since 2003.
BCAS is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Peter Q. Pfordresher as dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The College also announces several colle ...
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