Dean of the Faculty
Dr. Michael R. Drompp, Dean of the Faculty and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, is the chief academic officer of the College and the “go-to person” for all matters that affect student learning at Rhodes. He is charged with enhancing the quality of undergraduate education through promotion of excellence in teaching, the development of scholarship, and close student-faculty interactions. In addition, he works with academic department chairs and interdisciplinary program directors in addressing curricular, personnel, and budgetary matters.
A published authority on Chinese and Inner Asian history, Drompp has served the College in a number of capacities. He was chair of the Department of History for eight years, headed the President’s Diversity Task Force, chaired the Steering Committee for the President’s ten initiatives for the College, and most recently served as Dean of Academic Affairs for Post-Graduate Fellowships and Faculty Fellow for International Programs.
Drompp joined the Rhodes faculty in 1989 and received the Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1999. He also is a pianist and composer. He holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from Indiana University.
Associate Deans of Academic Affairs
Dr. John Olsen
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Faculty Personnel Management assists the Dean in determining, monitoring and projecting the faculty personnel profile and oversees annual evaluations of faculty and non-faculty persons who support the academic programs.
Dr. Brian Shaffer
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Faculty Development assists the Dean in all matters related to tenure and promotion.
Dr. Anita Davis
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs assists the Dean with diversity matters in faculty searches, oversees annual reviews for probationary faculty and guides the development and implementation of a mentoring program for probationary faculty. Dr. Davis also leads the current reconsideration of the faculty evaluation process.
Margaret Handwerker
Administrative Assistant II
April Brasfield
Administrative Assistant II