Ithaca College

Provost La Jerne Terry Cornish has announced that Dr. Keith Kaiser will serve as interim dean of the School of Music effective July 1, 2020 while a search for the successor to Karl Paulnack is conducted in the fall semester.

A distinguished teacher and scholar, Dana Professor Kaiser, began his career at Ithaca College in 1998 after completing his PhD at Florida State University. He has served as past chair of the Music Education Department (2003-2015) and past interim associate dean (2009-2012). 

He has taught undergraduate and graduate music education courses, supervised junior and senior level student teachers, and conducted various instrumental music ensembles. In addition, he is active throughout the country as a clinician, adjudicator and consultant, and a Presser Scholar. 

“Professor Kaiser has the administrative and leadership skills that are necessary to ensure the continued success of the school in the coming year.  I am very pleased that he has agreed to serve in this capacity and I look forward to working with him in his new role,” said Cornish.

In the near future, the Provost will reconvene the Roy H. Park and Music School Dean Search Committees and will conduct searches for permanent deans with the intention of making appointments by next spring.