Dear Members of the Stony Brook SoMAS Community,

I am very pleased to announce the reappointment of Paul Shepson, as Dean of the Stony Brook School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences for a second term of five years.

This renewal recognizes Dean Shepson’s accomplishments in several important areas for the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences while also pursuing strategic opportunities to grow and strengthen the school. A few highlights during his tenure include steady gains in undergraduate enrollment; substantial increases in the SoMAS research enterprise; the introduction of new academic programs related to climate change, and revising the M.S. and Ph.D. curriculum to allow greater flexibility in course choices; supporting the development of SoMAS Strategic Plans in 2019 and 2022; investing in facilities development, notably the upgrading of the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory; supporting and encouraging significant philanthropic support of SoMAS and its strategic objectives; advancement of multidisciplinary projects such as the restoration of Shinnecock Bay and selection to host the Peconic Estuary Partnership; and establishing three new divisions of Marine Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Sustainability Studies within SoMAS, each with a division head.  

Dean Shepson has also provided significant service to Stony Brook, most notably his role in the university’s successful bid to lead the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island.

I have reviewed these results with Dean Shepson, both to discuss areas of strength and areas for improvement in the coming years.

The review process works best when it is collaborative and comprehensive. I am grateful to all of the faculty, staff, students, and other key partners of the school who shared your feedback on Dean Shepson’s leadership.

I also want to thank the review committee for their thoughtful engagement in this process. The committee was chaired by Mónica Bugallo, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, and included the following members: Katherine Aubrecht, Associate Professor and Division Head of Sustainability; Dominique Barone, Assistant Director for Administration and Grants in SoMAS; Robert Cerrato, Professor of Marine Sciences; Edmund Chang, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences; Ginny Clancy, Educational Programs Coordinator in SoMAS; Jennifer DeVito, Associate Librarian; Laura Lindenfeld, Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism; and Brian Phillips, Professor and Chair of Geosciences.

Please join me in congratulating Dean Shepson on his reappointment and thanking him for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the school.

Sincerely,
Carl

Carl Lejuez
Provost and Executive Vice President