Hello, Arts and Sciences Students!
We are enjoying getting to know you through college events like our Week of Welcome Ice Cream Social, student organizations like Arts and Sciences Ambassadors, your classes and other activities.
And now, you can get to know us a little better! Once upon a time, we were students just like you!
Chris Culbertson is the dean of the college. Before becoming dean, he was interim dean and associate dean for research. He is also a chemistry professor in the analytical division of the department. His research is focused on developing devices for the early diagnosis of diseases, especially cancers. He collaborates with other researchers to overcome biomolecule separation, detection and quantitation challenges in complex biological matrices. He was the department’s lead advisor for 10 years.
Q: What music are you listening to most these days?
A: Zac Brown Band (“Chicken Fried”), Jimmy Buffett, Daddy Yankee, Chris Tomlin, RedBone, Tracy Lawrence
Q: Did you have a job in college? If so, what was it?
A: I cleaned toilets for the first two years in college and then worked as a diver at the New England Aquarium for the last two years.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I work with Rotary International and the United Nations Environment Program to clean up the rivers of the world.
Scott Tanona is the associate dean for academic affairs and planning. He’s been in that role since June 2020. He is also an associate professor of philosophy, specializing in the history and philosophy of physics, science in society, and ethics and values in science.
Q: Music? A: Lately, I’m listening to Arlo Parks, Tems, Big Thief, Khruangbin, Kendrick Lamar, and the HU, plus a pretty regular fallback to 90s alt. The last two live music events I went to were Blaggards and Green Day.
Q: College job? A: Yes, several! Telecalling, groundskeeping, working the floor at a chemical company filling bottles and cleaning vats, and other miscellaneous jobs here and there.
Q: Free time fun? A: Camping, hiking, mountain biking. Playing pool. Also just chilling on the porch (when it’s not too hot).
Mary Cain is the associate dean for research and graduate studies. She started in June 2024. She is a professor in the psychological sciences department, where she directed graduate programs. Her research examines the neural mechanisms of reward, focusing on the impact of the early environment on drug-taking and relapse to drug-taking in adulthood. She has received university awards for undergraduate teaching and research mentorship.
Q: Music? A: I’m currently enjoying Noah Kahan and Alex Warren. I had the opportunity to see Taylor Swift last summer, and the show was amazing!
Q: College job? A: During the school year, I worked at an ice cream shop that was purchased and turned into a deli. I worked as a lifeguard over the summers. In the summer between my junior and senior year, I participated in a paid neuroscience summer research program and continued through my senior year.
Q: Free time fun? A: My kids participate in sports and choir, and I like watching them. I also like to exercise and listen to podcasts while walking my dog.
Christie Launius is the associate dean for student success, engagement and undergraduate studies. She started in June 2024. She is also an associate professor in the social transformation studies department, where she recently served as interim head. She joined the gender, women and sexuality studies department in 2018 and helped lead its merger with American ethnic studies to form social transformation studies in 2022. Her research interests include narratives of upward mobility obtained via education and the scholarship of teaching and learning in gender, women and sexuality studies.
Q: Music? A: I listen to a lot of folk, Americana and alt country.
Q: College job? A: I had a LOT of jobs in college, including working at McDonald’s and the campus tutoring center answering the grammar hotline! Yes, it was a landline phone that people called, and we had a shelf of reference books that we used to help answer callers’ questions. We got a lot of calls in that pre-internet era.
Q: Free time fun? A: I love to cook and bake, and I also enjoy word puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.
Kimathi Choma is the assistant dean for diversity, recruitment and retention, a position he’s held since 2016, after serving as interim dean for a year and a half. Before that, he was in K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he served as director of undergraduate public health programs and as the experience facilitator for the Master of Public Health program.
Q: Music? A: Good gospel music!
Q: College job? A: Yes, I worked as a peer mentor and student leader. I also worked with the college HVAC professionals over the summer. I loved it. I learned a lot.
Q: Free time fun? A: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, especially near a warm fireplace, listening and learning.
Ben Stark is the assistant dean for infrastructure and faculty support. He is also a professor of theatre. He has served as associate director of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, leading administrative efforts in production, facilities, technology and programmatic budgeting. He also directed the theatre program’s marketing, management and technical design efforts. Professionally, he works for a variety of production companies. Recently, he worked with Hudson Scenic on the revival of “Sweeney Todd,” “The Notebook” and “The Wiz” on Broadway.
Q: Music? A: Moulin Rouge and Taylor Swift. (I have two young daughters, can you tell?)
Q: College job? A: I was an RA in the dorms and also worked in the library as a media specialist.
Q: Free time fun? A: Home improvement projects and woodworking.
