West Virginia University’s interim dean of the College of Creative Arts, Keith Jackson, has been appointed to the position permanently, the WVU Office of the Provost announced today.
“Under Keith’s leadership, our College of Creative Arts has demonstrated the importance of the arts in our lives and community by offering exciting events in music, theatre, art and dance,” said Provost Joyce McConnell. “I am delighted to have Keith leading the College’s dynamic faculty and staff. They are already working together to ensure that the arts continue to flourish on our campus.”
Jackson has been a member of the music faculty since 1995, serving as both a professor of music and director of the School of Music prior to his appointment as interim dean in 2017. He is also active in both classical and jazz styles as a performer and clinician and is a former member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra.
As interim dean, Jackson has overseen the planning and execution of several of the College’s important initiatives. He was instrumental in launching the new Interactive Media Design degree with the Reed College of Media, the second cross-college major at WVU. Jackson has also encouraged students in the creative arts to pursue international and cross-cultural projects, which he says enhances their global understanding of the place of arts in society.
During Jackson’s time as interim, and as part of the University’s mission as a land-grant institution, the College has provided arts programming to 22 West Virginia counties through traveling performances and presentations and numerous on-campus events. Jackson was also heavily involved in the cross-disciplinary Curiosity Series, which presents public performances and exhibitions from three academic schools and the Art Museum of WVU to bring diverse ideas, aesthetics, and voices to the community.
“We have a wonderful, strong team of faculty and staff in the College of Creative Arts. Moving forward with this leadership team, I expect an exciting future for the arts on campus,” Jackson said.
Michael Ibrahim, who has been serving as the interim director of the School of Music, will now fill the role in a permanent capacity.
