Pari Riahi Named Associate Dean for the UMASS-Amherst College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Professor of History Marla Miller and Associate Professor of Architecture Pari Riahi have been named associate deans for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) by Dean Joye Bowman. Miller assumes the role of associate dean for strategic initiatives, focused on collaborative efforts that further the college’s strategic plans, while Riahi’s role as associate dean focuses on building relationships with staff and faculty and implementing and evaluating innovative programs in the college.

“Both Marla and Pari bring years of invaluable wisdom, leadership, and experience to our community, and I am thrilled to welcome them as associate deans,” Bowman said. “Their collective vision and passion will continue to support HFA’s longstanding commitment to fostering a thoughtful, creative, and intellectual environment where students and faculty thrive.”

As associate dean for strategic initiatives, Miller will advance collaborative efforts that support the college’s strategic plan. Initial projects will include a partnership with Historic Deerfield that explores the creation of a residential semester in the public or applied humanities and developing the college’s presence in campuswide conversations around healthy aging.

As associate dean of academic operations and infrastructure, Riahi will assist the dean in the management of the college by implementing innovative workflows and programs, and building relationships with staff and faculty members within the HFA community. Riahi will also evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs, develop and manage new ways to support faculty research and bolster diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

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Pari Riahi joined SAH in 2016. In addition to her service on the JSAH Editorial Advisory Committee, she is currently serving on the Kostof Book Award Committee.