Deans
Guiding Our University
Our deans lead the academic experiences at our schools and colleges through strong principles and values. Diverse in personal history and unified in aspirations, our deans help determine the strategic initiatives and purpose-based goals that influence research and scholarship at our University. Their direction helps us to achieve our objectives in experiential learning, diversity and sustainability.
Meet our deans below—and visit their schools and colleges to learn about what they're doing to support our efforts on campus and in our communities.
Meet the Deans
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Ann Ayers, dean of the Colorado Women's College
Dean of the Colorado Women’s College Ann Ayers works to amplify the influence of women in the DU community and across the globe. Under her leadership, the CWC team is implementing a strategic plan to make DU the smartest choice for women—students, faculty and staff—by promoting women’s leadership, gender equity and delivering curricular and non-curricular programs that advance the careers and lives of women. Previously, Ayers worked with Mission Minded and SE2, consulting with non-profits nationally, becoming known for her ability to bring ideas, missions and movements to life. Ayers is a graduate of Georgetown and Virginia Law.
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Brent Chrite, dean of the Daniels College of Business
As the dean of Daniels College of Business, Dr. Brent Chrite leads the global expansion of the college’s footprint, an overhaul of the college’s curriculum, and an expansive blended-learning initiative. His past projects include addressing structural poverty challenges in Ethiopia and Tanzania on behalf of the World Bank, and developing market-entry strategies for Whirlpool and General Motors in Poland and Namibia, respectively. Chrite is a member of the Gordon Food Service (GFS) board of directors, and he supports our communities on the boards of Junior Achievement – Rocky Mountain, Inc. and the Denver Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
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J.B. Holston, dean of the Daniel F. Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science
JB Holston has been dean of the University of Denver’s Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science since July 2015. JB was the founding Executive Director for the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network and founding CEO for NewsGator/Sitrion. Past positions include President of Ziff Davis International and senior executive positions at NBC and GE after starting his career with the Boston Consulting Group. JB has a BA and MBA from Stanford University. In 2014, the Colorado Technology Association awarded JB the Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the technology industry in Colorado.
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Andrei Kutateladze, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Dean of the Division of Natural Sciences & Mathematics since 2012, and with the University since 1995, Dr. Andrei Kutateladze has over 140 peer-reviewed papers and five patents to his name. Dedicated to innovation in his field, Dr. Kutateladze has been a member of sub-committee on Photochemistry of the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry since 2003. He is Distinguished Scholar and also holds DU's highest academic distinction: the John Evans Professorship. His research laboratory develops novel methods for synthesis of complex therapeutic agents tested by the National Cancer Institute.
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Michael Levine-Clark, dean of University Libraries
Michael Levine-Clark is the dean of University Libraries, where he oversees library collections, services, and spaces to ensure all DU students can access the academic resources they need. Levine-Clark supports our efforts in designing and developing knowledge to enhance our support systems and the visibility of DU research. He serves on a variety of national and international publisher and vendor library advisory boards. Levine-Clark also writes and speaks regularly on trends in academic library collection development practices.
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Pardis Mahdavi, acting dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies
Pardis Mahdavi is the Korbel School's acting dean. Mahdavi received her PhD in Sociomedical Sciences and Anthropology, MPhil in Anthropology and Master's in International Affairs from Columbia University and a bachelor's in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College. Her research interests include gendered labor, human trafficking, migration, sexuality, human rights, youth culture, transnational feminism and public health in the context of changing global and political structures. Mahdavi is the author of four books and an edited volume, and she is the former Dean of Women, chair of anthropology and director of the Pacific Basin Institute at Pomona College.
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Michael McGuire, dean of University College
Michael McGuire, dean of the University College, has been a member of the DU family since 1993. He previously served as interim dean, when he brought together a board of leaders from both within and outside the University to develop a strategic plan for University College. Under his leadership, University College has achieved national rankings in the top 50 for online programming, and has become a leader in instructional design and support. McGuire has spent two decades in the service of adult learners, and continues to advocate for educational innovation to better meet their evolving needs.
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Daniel McIntosh, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Dean Daniel McIntosh leads the 15 schools and departments that make up our College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. He encourages an atmosphere of extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration and reflective experiential learning that equips our students with deep cultural understanding, social and analytical skills, and the flexibility to adapt to evolving job markets and community and global issues. His own scholarship is in psychology, where he studies emotions, autism, coping and the psychology of religion. McIntosh has received awards for his teaching and contributions to school inclusiveness and has published over 80 scholarly articles.
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Amanda Moore McBride, dean of the Graduate School of Social Work
Amanda Moore McBride is the Morris Endowed Dean and Professor of our Graduate School of Social Work. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in civic and community engagement. With nearly 100 publications to her name, her work promotes civic inclusion through education and policy, the role and potential of community engagement in higher education, and social innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Karen Riley, dean of the Morgridge College of Education
Dr. Karen Riley, dean of the Morgridge College of Education, has an extensive background in neurodiversity, early childhood special education and children with learning differences. Riley’s work has been nationally recognized and funded by organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, NIHCD, DARPA and IES. Her research primarily focuses on educational and behavioral issues in individuals with fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. She is also very involved in leadership locally and nationally serving as co-chair of the Colorado Council of Deans of Education and on the Mayor’s Compact for Education.
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Bruce Smith, dean of the Sturm College of Law
Bruce Smith is the 20th dean of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, having served in that role since July 2016. Before entering the legal academy, he practiced in the areas of intellectual property and sports law, representing the NFL, NBA and NHL, among other clients. Dean Smith is also a renowned scholar of the history of Anglo-American criminal procedure, having published a book and numerous articles on the subject. He serves on several educational, civic and corporate boards.
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Shelly Smith-Acuña, dean of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology
Shelly Smith-Acuña is dean of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, where she’s served as a faculty member for 25 years. Prior to becoming dean, she held the position of associate dean, director of the clinical doctoral program and director of training. Her work focuses on couple and family therapy, with an emphasis on gender, culture and multigenerational issues. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Councils of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, and the Colorado Psychological Association, and she also serves on several University councils.