Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Deanna Fitzgerald, M.F.A, as the next Dean of the School of Fine Arts at UConn, effective August 1, 2024. Deanna brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our institution from her tenure at the University of Arizona. With 16 years of service, in various roles from faculty member to her most recent position of Vice Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and through previous roles as Associate Director, Director of Graduate Studies, Interim Director of the School of Theatre, Film and Television and the School of Dance and, Interim Associate Director of the School of Music,  Deanna has demonstrated dedication to the arts, education, and leadership in various capacities. Deanna’s adaptability, resilience, and commitment to excellence make her the ideal candidate to lead our School of Fine Arts.

Deanna has a multifaceted background as an artist, educator, and administrator in the field of lighting design that is truly impressive. She received her training at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and is a member of in United Scenic Artists. The publication of Deanna’s book, “The Heart of Light: A Holistic Primer for a Life and Career in Lighting Design and Production,” demonstrates her deep understanding of the discipline and desire to share knowledge with others. The emphasis on parallels between creative and meditative practices, as well as her focus on inclusivity and diversity in the arts, reflects a forward-thinking and compassionate approach to her work. Deanna’s efforts to examine neurodiversity in the performing arts and challenge assumptions about who can participate and excel in the field are commendable. She is a true advocate for social change in the field of arts.

Deanna boasts an impressive portfolio in both national and international design, with standout projects like the world premiere of the Las Vegas adaptation of STOMP OUT LOUD following years of touring with the original STOMP production, as well as the tour Cirque Mechanics: Boom Town, which enjoyed an off-Broadway stint at The New Victory Theatre.  Her design for the North American tour of the Australian company’s Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo garnered attention, particularly with it’s run in Toronto.  In Arizona, she is a regular designer for the esteemed Rogue Theatre. Her lighting expertise encompasses a broad range of genres, having created designs for the San Francisco Opera’s Merola and Coconut Grove Playhouse’s Young Artist programs, original dance designs for choreographers such as Deborah Hay, Ben Levy, and Andy Vaca.  Deanna has fulfilled other roles with notable companies such as the Cincinnati Ballet, the Opera Theatre Music Festival in Lucca, Italy, and has served on the Boards of Directors for the University Resident Theatre Association and the United States Institute of Theatre Technology, and currently serves on the Western Region Exam Committee for United Scenic Artists and as a General Editor for Theatre Design and Technology magazine.

Deanna brings an extensive background and record of achievement in managing complex budgets, overseeing endowment and scholarship distributions, and leading strategic initiatives.  This speaks to her ability to navigate the administrative challenges of higher education while remaining focused on the core mission of fostering student success and artistic excellence. Her reputation as a creative, transparent, empathetic, and pragmatic leader aligns well with the School of Fine Arts values and priorities.

We are excited to welcome Deanna to our community and look forward to the contributions she will make as a member of our faculty and leadership team. Her experience, vision, and dedication will undoubtedly enrich our School of Fine Arts and help us continue to fulfill our mission of excellence in arts education, research and creative work, and engagement. Please join me in welcoming Deanna to UConn.

Anne D’Alleva, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President
University of Connecticut
Office of the Provost
352 Mansfield Road, U-1086
Storrs CT 06269-1086
Tel. 860-486-4037

UConn is a great university.

But it’s more than that. A top-ranked Land and Sea Grant research institution, with campuses and staff across Connecticut,  built to inspire the global community that is UConn Nation. UConn’s talented students exceed expectations. Our expert researchers, faculty, and alumni drive Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) for a better tomorrow. We fuel the State’s economy and are committed to inclusion with emotional intelligence in benefiting the greater good. This is UConn.

STUDENTS FIRST. UCONN ALWAYS. HUSKIES FOREVER.

Dear College of Engineering Faculty, Staff, and Students:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ji-Cheng ‘JC’ Zhao, Ph.D., as the next Dean of the College of Engineering at UConn, effective August 12, 2024. Dr. Zhao, a distinguished figure in the field of materials science and engineering, joins us from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he served as the Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and Clark Distinguished Chair Professor. Dr. Zhao’s dedication to innovation and education, along with his creativity and collaboration, make him the ideal candidate to lead our College of Engineering towards new heights of academic excellence and research innovation.

Dr. Zhao brings a wealth of experience from an illustrious career spanning academia, industry, and government. Prior to his tenure at the University of Maryland, he was a professor at The Ohio State University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering and also served as a Program Director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy), managing $100M in projects to develop energy-efficient and green technologies. Before academia and government, Zhao was a Materials Scientist and project leader at GE Research Center for 12 years, inventing new materials and processes, predominately for gas turbines and jet engines.

His pioneering work in the design of advanced alloys and coatings, additive manufacturing, and high-throughput materials science methodologies, among other areas, has established him as a leader in the field, leading to the induction to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2023. In addition to many materials innovations, he pioneered the development of a diffusion-multiple approach and co-developed several materials property microscopy tools for accelerated materials discovery and development. He holds 49 US patents covering a range of materials, processes, and systems.

Dr. Zhao’s research has been recognized with numerous awards, including the William Hume-Rothery Award from the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society and the J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award from ASM International. Dr. Zhao is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), American Society for Metals (ASM), the Materials Research Society (MRS), and the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). He served on the Subcommittee on the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) from 2014 to 2017, and on the Board of Trustees of ASM International from 2019 to 2022.

As department chair at Maryland, Dr. Zhao gained experience in managing complex budgets, leading cross-functional teams, building industry partnerships, and engaging in development work. Dr. Zhao holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Lehigh University, as well as M.S. and B.S. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering (Physical Metallurgy) from Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Dr. Zhao is dedicated to continuing to build on the College of Engineering’s strengths, expanding our research footprint, fostering transformative and impactful educational programs, and advancing the College’s relationships with local, national, and international partners.

“Even though I am sad to depart the excellent MSE Department at the University of Maryland, I am very excited to join the Husky Nation and to leverage my combined experience in industry, government and academia for the betterment of the UConn College of Engineering,” said Zhao.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Zhao to UConn and to his new role as Dean of the College of Engineering. We look forward to his leadership and vision in advancing the College’s mission.

Anne D’Alleva, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President
University of Connecticut
Office of the Provost
352 Mansfield Road, U-1086
Storrs CT 06269-1086
Tel. 860-486-4037

UConn is a great university.

But it’s more than that. A top-ranked Land and Sea Grant research institution, with campuses and staff across Connecticut,  built to inspire the global community that is UConn Nation. UConn’s talented students exceed expectations. Our expert researchers, faculty, and alumni drive Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) for a better tomorrow. We fuel the State’s economy and are committed to inclusion with emotional intelligence in benefiting the greater good. This is UConn.

STUDENTS FIRST. UCONN ALWAYS. HUSKIES FOREVER.