08/20/2024
By Sue J. Kim
I am pleased to announce that Daniel Arroyo-Rodríguez, Associate Professor of World Languages & Cultures, has agreed to serve as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (FAHSS). His appointment begins on Sept. 1, 2024.
Arroyo-Rodríguez is an established scholar of 20th- and 21st-century Spanish Peninsular literature, with particular interest in the recuperation of historical memory. He received his Ph.D. in Romance Language and Literature (Spanish) from the University of Michigan in 2010 and his B.A. in English Philology from the University of Seville in 2000. Prior to joining UMass Lowell in 2020, he was on the faculty at Colorado College, where he was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor of Spanish.
Arroyo-Rodríguez brings to the office a variety of experience with curriculum development and program assessment; support for first-generation and underrepresented students; fostering experiential learning (particularly study abroad); and promoting high-impact pedagogical practices. At Colorado College, he worked on institution-wide initiatives to reconsider the first-year experience, core curriculum, faculty governance, and faculty affairs.
At UMass Lowell, he has served as Faculty Leader in the ADVANCE Office for Faculty Equity and Resilience (OFER) and has partnered with the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) and the River Hawk Scholars Academy.
As the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Dani will provide strategic leadership in recruitment, advising, retention, academic success of undergraduate students and program development. He will collaborate with academic units and CELT to provide ongoing professional development and support for all instructors, particularly as we navigate a new world shaped by AI and ever-increasing complexity. He will also oversee interdisciplinary programs and play a role in strategic planning, faculty and staff success, and advancement. We welcome Dani to our office and look forward to his efforts in advancing our mission of providing a challenging and rewarding academic experience for our students.
Furthermore, I want to thank the excellent candidates from across the arts, humanities, and social sciences who applied for this position; the strength of the candidates speaks to the exceptionally high quality and commitment of FAHSS faculty across disciplines. I also want to thank Associate Dean Andy Harris and the members of the search committee for their invaluable service.