As head of one of the largest colleges at the University of Maryland, the dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) strives to ensure that our nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students receive the highest quality of education. She also manages the daily financial and administrative operations of the college, and serves on boards, councils, and committees within the college and the entire University of Maryland campus community.

With more than a dozen of its academic units and areas of specialty placing at the top of national and international rankings, the college’s educational programs give our students the knowledge and skills necessary to address the pressing needs of individuals and society in a rapidly evolving world. The popularity of the programs it offers continues to be reflected in higher numbers of students registering each year in our majors, minors and offerings.

With the college’s increasing numbers of students, BSOS has equally increased its efforts to reach higher heights of academic quality, integrity, and standards of scholarship.  Beyond furnishing students with mere facts and figures, the College also instills in them the importance of their role and responsibility as global citizens, and the motivation to Be the Solution to the world's great challenges.

The dean works closely with the president and provost of the university on matters of budget as well as recommendations for appointments, tenure, and promotions within the college.  Beyond these financial and administrative duties, throughout the history of the college, the deans have been active participants in the life of the college itself as well as the University. Their dedication to improving campus life and conditions both within the college and in the greater campus community has been demonstrated through their involvement on advisory boards, athletic councils, task forces, and special committees, to the creation of scholarships, funds, and opportunities for student representation.

Collectively, the deans have enriched the campus experience by their forward-thinking initiatives and approaches, from the installment of the Phi Beta Kappa Society chapter at the university, to the launching of new chairs, centers, and research groups – all in line with the mission of the college, to Be the Solution to the world's great challenges. 

Individually, they are recognized figures in their respective fields of psychology, economics, geographical sciences, history, and biology.  Their publications of key studies and research projects have and continue to contribute to further study, and have led to collaborations with global partners and institutions.