Arts and Sciences poised to play unique role in uncertain world, new dean says

Kecia Thomas, Ph.D., new dean of the College of Arts and SciencesThe world today is full of uncertainty, says Kecia Thomas, Ph.D., new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), who begins her tenure with UAB Aug. 1, as a global pandemic and social justice movements raise questions about the future.

Providing context and framework for those questions — both the queries themselves and the processes of answering them — is where the liberal arts come in, she says, and the list of ways a liberal arts education can prove crucial grows daily.

While scientists work to understand COVID-19 to improve testing and discover potential vaccines, medical sociology and health communications experts can give health care providers and citizens the knowledge and tools to persuade their friends and family to wear masks, and those who speak a language other than English can ensure that everyone has access to lifesaving information, Thomas explains. History and the social and behavioral sciences help people understand the COVID-19 pandemic and protests within their sociohistorical contexts — so “we can learn from the past in order to move forward more productively,” she said.

“The protest songs of the 1960s were revived and have energized today’s marchers, and new public murals have emerged to mark and remind us of this pivotal moment in time,” Thomas said. “When we haven’t had the words to express our grief and emotions, we turned to authors and poets to speak for us.”

As Thomas’ work at UAB begins, she says she hopes to work with the CAS community to expand the college and elevate the exceptional work being done by its members, all while ensuring CAS models inclusive excellence and takes pride in being a liberal arts and science community. As employees and students begin that journey during the fall semester, Thomas encourages them to remain in the moment — “we can accomplish our goals, but it may demand more mindfulness and ‘being present’ in our work even if we are physically distant,” she said.

“We must remember to acknowledge and celebrate every step along the way,” she continued. “Keep in mind that while you’re taking that class or developing that research project, you’re also saving lives by wearing masks, staying physically distant and washing your hands.”

Thomas also says that, in these times of hybrid-model education and social distancing, it is more important than ever to practice intentionality and empathy.

“We must also protect and invest in the relationships that keep us grounded, supported and energized,” she said. “Right now, we can’t count on running into colleagues or friends throughout the day, so we must be intentional in scheduling phone calls and even Zoom meetings in order to stay connected, informed and engaged. Although we’re all eager to get back to business as usual, this can also be an incredible time of reflection and a re-evaluation of personal priorities and values.”

As CAS continues to grow and evolve in the coming years, Thomas says she plans to showcase the exciting and strong undergraduate programs the college offers and ensure students can access everything they need to be successful — all while working with colleagues to identify and develop new graduate degree and certificate programs, as well as recruit and retain faculty and graduate students that “reflect the tremendous diversity of the undergraduate population and our nation,” she said.

Thomas, an industrial/organizational psychologist, joins UAB from the University of Georgia where she was senior associate dean in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. In that role, Thomas was the division dean for the social and behavioral sciences and also managed the college’s faculty affairs functions and its diversity and inclusion strategy and was a liaison to the Franklin College faculty senate.