Ryan J. White '07, Chemistry
University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences has announced Ryan J. White as the new divisional dean of natural sciences.
The inclusion of the alumnus from the University of Utah (chemistry) will bring new focus and structure around student success and the college of Arts and Sciences’ advancement. White, who as a candidate for his PhD with Dean of the College of Science, chemistry professor Henry White, will officially begin his new term on Jan. 1, 2024.
“My vision for the Division of Natural Sciences in A&S is to continue to grow each unit as leading departments in the US by sustaining our current strengths in research and education, while cultivating our division’s culture of commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and student success,” said White.
Given his tenure as an educator in the department, White has had ample time to observe the strengths of the natural sciences division and areas of potential.
If I could have two dream opportunities to kick off my time in this role, it would be the development of a creative incubator space to help launch innovative new research and training programs and to develop programs that holistically support student success in STEM disciplines,” said White.
However, this position was not always the forefront for White, and still remains secondary to his goal as an educator and innovator.
“Becoming a divisional dean was only peripherally in my vision early in Fall 2023. However, the opportunity to work with the college leadership was an opportunity that excited (and still excites) me,” he said. “The position also provides unique opportunities to think about ways that the natural sciences can interact and collaborate with the social sciences and humanities and provide holistic training and educational opportunities for our students and scholars.”
White is an Ohio Eminent Scholar and has served as the Head of Chemistry since Fall 2022 with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina in 2007, to then complete his education with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Utah in 2007. Following his NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship at UC Santa Barbara, he began teaching chemistry and biochemistry at UMBC in 2011. White made his way to UC in the fall of 2017.