News
Tennessee Tech names new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Daren Snider, Ph.D., incoming dean of Tennessee Tech University’s College of Arts
& Sciences.
Tennessee Tech University has named Daren Snider, Ph.D., as the next dean of the College
of Arts & Sciences, according to an announcement from Tech Provost Lori Mann Bruce.
Snider currently serves as dean of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences at Indiana
University East. He also previously served as interim dean of the campus’s School
of Natural Science & Mathematics.
“This is a significant and exciting milestone for our campus, and we eagerly anticipate
the innovative ideas and leadership Dr. Snider will bring to our university,” said
Provost Bruce in a message to Tech faculty and staff.
A native of California, Snider completed his undergraduate studies in history and
German at the University of California, Riverside before earning a master’s in German
studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in languages and literature
from the University of Utah.
Snider says he was first drawn to serve at Tech because of the university’s “energetic
and forward-thinking community.”
“You can really feel how vibrant Tech is,” explained Snider. “The focus on innovation
and building impactful partnerships is particularly exciting. The university has so
much going for it, and I feel humbled and honored to be invited to join the team.”
Describing Snider’s extensive credentials, Provost Bruce explained that he has “published
and presented in the fields of literature, pedagogy and language in national and international
journals and conferences.”
“He is a longtime consultant for the Higher Learning Commission, where he has chaired
accreditation panels for over 80 colleges and universities,” she added. “He has served
as the president of the faculty senate and in numerous state education and civic organizations
and boards.”
Snider’s wife, Ann, is a fellow educator and will join Tech as a dual enrollment teaching
associate in the fall. The couple has four grown children, one grandchild and a second
on the way.
“We’re looking forward to getting involved at Tech and in the community,” Snider added.
Snider’s appointment comes after the university’s last permanent College of Arts &
Sciences dean, Paul Semmes, retired in 2021. Longtime Tech history professor Jeff
Roberts has served as interim dean since that time.
In announcing Snider’s appointment, Provost Bruce also lauded Roberts’ faithful service
to the college.
“Over the past two years, Interim Dean Roberts has provided steady leadership and
continuity, ensuring the college continued to thrive during this transitional period,”
Provost Bruce explained. “We are deeply grateful for his wisdom and hard work. We
are fortunate that Dr. Roberts will continue to be a part of our campus community
as professor of history.”
As of last fall, Tech’s College of Arts & Sciences enrolls more than 1,200 students,
ranking fourth among Tech’s colleges and schools in student population. The college
is home to nine academic departments including Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences,
English, Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics, Physics, and Sociology and Political
Science.
Snider’s service at Tech will formally begin in advance of the fall 2024 semester.
