Hogan named dean of new performing arts school at Ithaca College

“She understands the necessity of engaging with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders, and work collaboratively to design and implement a strategic plan that will ensure the school’s long-term success and impact,” Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Melanie Stein said in a press statement.

Ithaca College’s (IC) reputation for music and theatre arts are what first caught Hogan’s attention. “There are so many opportunities for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance to explore including more cross-disciplinary training and creative activities, both within the school and across IC, and in partnership with higher education and/or arts institutions, nationally and internationally,” she said. “An essential opportunity will be to establish the school as a leader in diverse and inclusive practices in the arts and education and as a school that at once respects the history and traditions of its respective disciplines and embraces novel directions and as-yet unimagined possibilities for them.”

The college announced in January it planned to combine the School of Music and the Department of Theatre Arts, currently located with the School of Humanities and Sciences, on July 1 to form the new school. Ivy Walz from the School of Music and Steve TenEyck from the Department of Theatre Arts will support Hogan as associate deans.

Along with serving as dean at University of Memphis, Hogan was the founder and acting director of the university’s Institute for the Arts and health, designed to foster and secure funding for transdisciplinary research and community engagement across disciplines. She previously held teaching and administrative positions at the Royal Academy of Dance, London Metropolitan University, London Contemporary Dance School, and American University of Paris.

At Memphis, Hogan led in the planning, development, and delivery of all CCFA programs and policies along with the formation and implementation of the college’s strategic plan. She also led efforts to ensure an inclusive learning community. During her time as dean, the school increased enrollment, retention, and graduation rates.

Hogan received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Harvard University and her Ph.D. and master’s degree in English literature from Brown University. She has experience as a performer, choreographer, and teacher of classical ballet; contributed to publications; served as a member of the Memphis Cultural Coalition and Shelby County School Arts Advisory Council; and as a board member of community radio station WYXR.

Founded in 1892, Ithaca College offers 90 degree programs to its 5,400 students.