Leadership Update
It is with great admiration and not a little sadness that I announce that Tim Marshall, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at The New School for 11 years, has accepted a position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, College of Design and Social Context, and Vice-President at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, the number one design school in the country.
This is a homecoming for Tim, who originally heralds from Australia. He received his education at the City Art Institute and College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales, and went on to build an impressive career in academia – including as the Director of Academic and International Programs and Chair of the School of Design at the University of Western Sydney – before joining Parsons School of Design in 2004.
During his decade-plus tenure as Provost, Tim has overseen some of the most important institutional developments in the history of The New School. He spearheaded the integration of design disciplines with the humanistic disciplines of the liberal arts, social sciences and performing arts, and championed innovative curricula that address the complexities of today’s world. Deeply committed to The New School’s values of social justice and inclusion, Tim facilitated the formation of the university’s Social Justice Committee in 2010, serving as one of its two co-chairs. Tim has brought his global experience and perspective to The New School, expanding the university’s global partnerships program and attracting faculty from diverse cultures and practices. He also designed and led the restructuring of the Provost’s office, establishing processes to support curriculum and learning, research, faculty development, faculty affairs, and academic planning.
Before stepping into the role of Provost, Tim was Dean of Parsons School of Design from 2006 to 2009, where he led a major restructuring effort and developed an academic plan that emphasized stronger faculty culture and a more integrated and comprehensive suite of undergraduate and graduate degrees and thematic schools. His work and leadership set the foundation for Parson’s outstanding global reputation and consistent ranking as the nation’s top art and design institution and one of the top three schools of its kind globally. Most recently, Tim has been an exceptional partner to me and the leadership team as we have embarked on a fundamental reimagining of our university – work which Tim will continue to be deeply involved with through the end of this calendar year. The New School will be the beneficiary of his steady efforts and visionary, global and interdisciplinary approach to curricula and faculty for many years to come.
Tim will continue in his role as Provost through September 30, 2020. I am pleased to announce that Stephanie Browner, Dean of the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, will act as Interim Provost effective October 1, 2020. I very much look forward to working with Stephanie in this new capacity. To effect a smooth transition, Tim has graciously agreed to my request for him to work side by side with Stephanie and me as a Senior Advisor through the end of the calendar year. I will soon announce plans for the launch of a national search process to identify The New School’s next Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Tim has been a well-respected and trusted member of this community and has contributed meaningfully to the life of the university. During the time of my leadership transition and my early days as President, he has been generous with his time and his knowledge of The New School, and I have benefited greatly from both. He also has become a trusted friend and I will miss him greatly, as I know will many of our faculty, staff and students alike.
Please join me in congratulating Tim on this exciting new role and professorship, which is fitting recognition of his expertise, vision and all that he has contributed during his time at The New School.