Aimee Shouse

AIMEE SHOUSE

What is your current position, and how many years have you been a dean?
Associate Provost & Associate VP for Curriculum & Faculty Affairs & Dean of Faculty at Tartleton State University (member of Texas A&M system), five years total.

What advice would you give new deans?
Give yourself time to know processes and people. Be easier on yourself and remember
to have fun.

What would you say is your most meaningful contribution as dean?
I listen well and I served as an active dean during succession planning and kept things moving. I got a PhD program drafted and kept things orderly and stable for a new dean to take over.
At Southwest Minnesota State I initiated the process to chose an alma mater, they still didn’t have an anthem after 50 years.

When you think about the liberal arts, what gives you a sense of hope?
I think that employers understand the strengths that a liberal arts education offers. What the liberal arts provides is universally accepted as important, we just have to keep reminding them.

Why are you a member of CCAS?
CCAS provides professional development to deans and department chairs as well great networking opportunities. I especially benefit from the case studies offered at the annual meetings.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Living in Texas, I miss the cold of Minnesota for about two months out of the year.

What are you currently reading?
Trust and Inspire by Stephen Covey
American Assassin by Vince Flynn