Andrew Hippisley, professor of linguistics at the University of Kentucky, has been named the new dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University, effective July 1.

In making the announcement, Wichita State Provost Rick Muma said: “We are excited that Andrew Hippisley will become the next dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Many faculty, staff and students who met with him on his recent visit came away enthused about his professional qualities and potential to lead our largest college. His excellence in teaching, research, faculty leadership and university administration were all important to his selection. He has a strong understanding of issues in the humanities, sciences and social sciences, all of the key parts of Fairmount College. He is very versed in the need to grow enrollment and will be able to be effective from the start in helping implement the university’s strategic enrollment management plan.”

Hippisley follows Ron Matson, who is retiring as dean on June 30. Matson was appointed interim dean in 2013 and named dean the following year.

“I am a strong believer in and advocate for a liberal arts experience,” said Hippisley. “As dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, I would serve as champion-in-chief of a liberal arts education as an intrinsic value whose scope is the whole person, creating a desire to treat career as their calling in life.”

Hippisley’s career history encompasses administrative and academic positions. A professor of linguistics, he has served as the inaugural chair of the linguistics department at the University of Kentucky since 2016. Prior to that he held positions as the director of the linguistics program and the director of its graduate studies. He is a fellow of the Linguistic Society of America, the American Council on Education and the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program.

Hippisley served one term as chair of University Senate Council at the University of Kentucky. In this capacity, he acted as the key interface between faculty and deans of 17 colleges as well as upper administration, supported some 15 University Senate committees, presided over monthly Senate meetings and stewarded a budget.

Hippisley earned a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Surrey in 1997; and a Master’s in Russian Language and Literature from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, and Royal Holloway, University of London, in 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and Literature from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London in 1991.