Photo by Christopher Gannon.
Benjamin (Ben) Withers began serving as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) and professor of history on April 15. (But he has been visiting campus since earlier this semester to meet with university and LAS leaders and alumni.)
Withers comes to Iowa State from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, where he served for eight years as dean of that land grant's College of Liberal Arts and professor of art history. Notable accomplishments achieved during his leadership at Colorado State include tripling the college's external research funding, achieving a 30% increase in first-year student enrollment, increasing faculty positions and establishing a universitywide thematic program for 2023-24 focused on democracy and civic engagement.
Previously, Withers served as a department chair, honors program director, dean of undergraduate studies and associate provost for undergraduate education at the University of Kentucky, Lexington (2004-16), and as a faculty member and later, assistant dean for the Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University, South Bend (1994-2004).
Withers completed a bachelor's degree from Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota; and master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Chicago, all in art history.
Withers' office is in 207 Catt Hall. He can be reached at 515-294-3220 or email, bwithers@iastate.edu.
