University of Texas at Austin Names Sarah Ades as Next Dean of Graduate School and Senior Vice Provost
The University of Texas at Austin has announced that Sarah Ades will be the next dean of the Graduate School and senior vice provost for graduate and postdoctoral studies. Currently serving as the associate dean for graduate student affairs at Penn State, Ades will take over the position in the Spring 2024 term. She will succeed Maria Juenger, who has been serving as the interim dean since August.
President Jay Hartzell expressed excitement about Ades’ appointment, emphasizing her talents, background, and track record at a top research university. Ades, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, is known for her leadership at Penn State, where she advocates for the university’s 14,000 graduate students and focuses on enrichment and professional development opportunities.
In addition to her administrative role, Ades is an award-winning educator with a focus on helping students master fundamental biology concepts. Her research in microbiology explores communication between the cell envelope and cytoplasm in bacterial cells, contributing to antibiotic development.
Expressing her honor at joining UT, Ades looks forward to working with graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff to shape the future of graduate education at the university. Her goal is to support the success of the next generation of leaders, innovators, and scholars.
Ades, who has been on the faculty at Penn State since 2002, brings extensive experience in both academic and professional development programming. Sharon L. Wood, UT’s executive vice president and provost, believes Ades’ leadership will strengthen the Graduate School’s position as a national leader in graduate education and postdoctoral training.
Ades will succeed Maria Juenger, who provided strong leadership continuity to the Graduate School. Juenger will return to her faculty position as the L.B. (Preach) Meaders Professor of Engineering in the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering.
