NDSU has announced Kent Sandstrom as the new dean for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Sandstrom, who is a professor and head of sociology, anthropology and criminology at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, is expected to join NDSU on July 29.
Bruce Rafert, NDSU’s incoming provost, made the announcement May 19. “Kent will help build academic distinction across the college, while creating new networks of support and innovation,” said Rafert. “We are delighted to welcome him to NDSU.”
Sandstrom replaces Tom Riley, who returns to a faculty position with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Riley has been dean since 1996, and also served as director of the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies.
Sandstrom joined the UNI faculty in 1993 and became department head in 2006. Under his leadership, the department has seen a 37 percent increase in the number of departmental majors during the past two years. Sandstrom also assisted with the establishment of a new master’s degree program in criminology and sociology.
Kevin McCaul, dean of science and mathematics, chaired the search committee. “The position attracted a strong pool of candidates. The committee was pleased with the quality and experience represented by the approximately 50 people who applied to serve as dean of arts, humanities and social sciences at NDSU,” McCaul said.
In addition to his teaching and administrative duties at UNI, Sandstrom is co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography. His vita lists six books, 19 refereed articles and chapters, 10 chapters and essays, 11 book reviews and 56 professional presentations.
Sandstrom earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth; and his master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from the University of Minnesota. He began his career as an instructor in the University of Minnesota sociology department.
Among his honors are UNI’s James F. Lubker Faculty Research Award, the President’s Special Award from the Midwest Sociological Society, Human Rights Leadership Award from the UNI Amnesty International group, UNI’s Ross A. Nielsen Professional Service Award, UNI Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, UNI Outstanding Teaching Award and Distinguished Service Award and CSBS Outstanding Teaching Award from the Faculty Senate of the UNI College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Sandstrom’s professional affiliations include the Midwest Sociological Society, Pacific Sociological Association, Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction and American Sociological Association.