The University of Virginia announced today that Christa D. Acampora has been named the dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, effective September 1.
Acampora, born in Roanoke and raised in Dublin, Virginia, is currently deputy provost and professor of philosophy at Emory University in Atlanta. Prior to Emory, he was a faculty member at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and served as Hunter’s associate provost for faculty affairs and research.
“Christa will be a tremendous asset to the University,” said Provost Ian Baucom. “He has a deep understanding of the opportunities facing the College, with the breadth of experience that the role requires. From strategic planning to faculty recruitment, from research development to enhancing the experience of the high school, she is ready to work with colleagues across Arts & Sciences and the University to develop and implement transformative programming. I anticipate great things for the school with her at the helm.”
As deputy provost, Acampora manages a broad list of strategic and budget priorities related to the academic mission at Emory, overseeing academic program development, faculty recruitment and retention, and initiatives in support of the flourishing of the high school – including student innovation and careers advice. Most recently, he managed the process of ensuring Emory’s academic continuity after the move online during the pandemic.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead Arts & Sciences at a time when UVA is charting an ambitious path forward,” said Acampora. “The vision outlined in the 2030 Plan and other key documents such as the ‘Audacious Future’ report aligns with my aspirations for the school. I see potential transformation for Arts & Sciences in terms of recruitment and advancement of teachers, student support and engagement, and innovative scholarship. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students, as well as leaders across UVA to build on the College’s well-earned reputation for excellence excellence”.
Acampora ushered in a new approach to thinking about the faculty as a whole body for Emory, forming a team including the university’s first Office of Faculty Affairs, leading the development of a comprehensive faculty data system, and creating structures that support faculty advancement. In four years, Emory faculty have nearly doubled the number of distinguished awards and academic awards they have received. Acampora also has deep experience leading a campus-wide initiative to enhance faculty satisfaction—focusing on climate and culture, policies and benefits, tenure and promotion standards, and salary equity.
More recently, Acampora coordinated multi-school hiring to create clusters and teams in key areas of research and teaching related to artificial intelligence and machine learning.
At CUNY, he was responsible for the success of faculty and research across all stages of the professional life cycle, collaborating closely with the dean for diversity and the dean of faculty. Their innovations and partnerships have led to a 10% increase in research funding awards in less than two years. He also chaired a two-year Mellon Foundation project on faculty development and curricular innovation related to general education.
His approach to college education is equally transformative. At Emory, Acampora launched the Hatchery, an innovation center that supports student entrepreneurs that supports 24 student-led projects and offers 550 hours of coaching in its first year, despite the pandemic. She co-led research for the director of a new university center focused on career exploration and professional development, and led efforts to prepare students with lower resources to be competitive for research opportunities advanced
At CUNY he developed an undergraduate public humanities research program as well as an exchange program with Stanford University. She also oversaw the creation of a $5 million institutional grant to implement 360-degree advising, paid student internships, and an academic support program for computer science students to strengthen and diversify New York’s technology talent pipeline. York City.
Graduate students also benefited greatly from Acampora’s leadership. Tasked with organizing the research of the dean of the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies, Acampora supported the advancement of Emory’s emphasis on graduate students as students-first, with needs both for education specialized in a discipline or for an expansion path to an expansion. set of professional skills – which corresponds to UVA’s growing programming of graduate students, such as PhD Plus. UVA’s innovative approach to creating research groups and cohorts, including the Doctoral Bridge, is part of what attracted Acampora to the position, he said.
Acampora’s strengths extend to the research enterprise, both as a primary investigator on large and high-profile grants, and as an administrator who supports faculty research and strengthens institutional research successes. Acampora successfully co-led the Research and Innovation Committee of Emory’s master planning process and orchestrated the institution’s “Return to Campus for Research” efforts in the wake of the pandemic. At Hunter, he was responsible for research development and administration, which brought extensive experience with federal agencies and foundations.
“I encourage colleagues to think about best practices to cultivate research in a broad sense, because research, inquiry and discovery take many forms,” explained Acampora. “From laboratory sciences to artistic and creative expression, all research and scholarship can benefit from strong infrastructure and institutional capacity.”
“From the first introduction of the search committee to Dr. Acampora, we knew he would be a strong and relentless advocate for the College,” said Sarah Kucenas, co-chair of the search committee and professor of biology, cell biology and neuroscience. “His experience and dedication to enhancing education at both the undergraduate and graduate level is something that resonates with our community and will allow us to continue the important work we have already begun to reimagine the new College Curriculum – as we chart the next chapter for the Graduate School. Christa is also a vigorous and persuasive advocate for public higher education and the liberal arts and sciences and believes deeply in the recruitment, development and retention of faculty and staff outstanding. We are very fortunate to have such a well-rounded and passionate champion joining us at the College.”
In addition to her professional achievements, Acampora is an acclaimed philosopher and expert in modern European philosophy, moral psychology and aesthetics. Most of her publications focus on philosophical questions and themes that arise in Nietzsche’s philosophy, which she puts in dialogue with contemporary visions. His current research focuses on morality and moral injury—particularly among veterans, but also among other populations such as refugees, health care workers, and those impacted by institutionalized racism.
“Christa has a philosopher’s sense for analyzing complexities, combined with a scholar’s love of academia,” said Ravi V. Bellamkonda, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University. “She has a deep understanding of the important issues affecting higher education and is gifted at executing complex initiatives, and I am grateful for her service to Emory and excited for her as she takes on this exceptional leadership opportunity at the University of Virginia.” .
Acampora received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy cum laude from Hollins University in Roanoke, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Emory University. Acampora succeeds Baucom, who became provost at UVA earlier this year after serving eight years as dean of the College. He will be joined on Earth by his husband, Jesús García-Cascón.
“I am grateful to the search committee for their outstanding service in finding Christa Acampora,” UVA President Jim Ryan said. “This committee, led by Provost Baucom and Professor Kucenas, was committed to finding a leader who understands the unique assets and particular needs of the College and the Graduate School. Christa will bring many strengths to the role, both as She is a brilliant scholar and a strong leader, and it is a pleasure to welcome her to the UVA community.”
Professor David Hill of the College’s Department of Psychology served as interim dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences since March 1, when he succeeded to Baucom. “The University is deeply grateful to Dr. Hill for delaying his retirement to provide distinguished leadership to Arts & Sciences since last winter,” Baucom said. “His thoughtful work and commitment will ensure that Dr. Acampora starts from a strong foundation.”
Associate Dean for the Sciences and Commonwealth Professor of Biology Laura Galloway will serve as interim dean from Aug. 8 until Acampora arrives at Grounds on Sept. 1. as we prepare to launch the fall semester and welcome Dr. Acampora,” Baucom said.
