SUNY Geneseo announces names New School of Arts and Sciences Dean
Photo courtesy of the Geneseo Website
On Friday, Apr. 11, SUNY Geneseo announced Agya Boakye-Boaten (pronounced “Ay-jah Bwachee Bwahten”) as the new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He will also hold the rank of Professor of Black and Africana Studies in the Department of Anthropology and the Center for Social Justice Studies. He will assume his role(s) on July 17, 2025.
An email from Mary C. Toale, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, to the SUNY Geneseo campus community stated, “Boakye-Boaten is a leader who listens and cares broadly and deeply to ensure inclusive excellence. He is an award-winning teacher-scholar and a collaborative and visionary leader who will champion the arts and sciences on our campus and within the broader community.”
According to the Geneseo website, Boakye-Boaten earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Administration and Political Science from the University of Ghana-Legon, his master’s degree in International Affairs (African Studies) and Political Science (international relations), and his doctoral degree in Educational Studies (cultural studies) from Ohio University.
According to the Geneseo website, he currently serves as the Dean of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA). In this role, he leads 16 departments and interdisciplinary programs in support of faculty, staff, student success, campus-wide initiatives, and community engagement, as described on the Geneseo website.
According to the Geneseo website, UNCA Provost Dr. Yvonne Villanueva-Russell stated that Boakye-Boaten has been “a phenomenal colleague, exemplifying the promise of the liberal arts. His commitment to interdisciplinarity is balanced in equal measure with an emphasis on student-centeredness.”
In addition to his other accomplishments, Boakye-Boaten is a former US Fulbright Scholar and Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow. He has 20 years of interdisciplinary experience “in higher education, community development, and international education,” as stated on the Geneseo website.
“I am thrilled to become a part of SUNY Geneseo during this pivotal moment in higher education,” said Boakye-Boaten. “The college’s dedication to the transformative power of public liberal arts education, its focus on student-centered high-impact experiences, and its community of committed faculty and staff resonate deeply with my values. I am particularly inspired by Geneseo’s strong culture of inclusivity and eagerly anticipate contributing to this vibrant community.”
As Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Boakye-Boaten will provide leadership and oversight for the 18 academic departments and the Center for Social Justice Studies. Additionally, he will collaborate with the deans of the Schools of Education and Business to lead curriculum development and explore opportunities in graduate, certificate, and online education.
According to the Geneseo website, Boakye-Boaten’s transition to Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences is also an opportunity to recognize the work of Dr. Amy Sheldon, who has served as Dean since February 2023.
Toale stated in the email that Dr. Sheldon’s leadership has been, and continues to be, “instrumental to the launching of the School of Arts and Sciences.” Toale continued, “Sheldon also led the creation of a mission statement for the school, new summer programming, as well as new and revised curricula. Additionally, she has been pivotal in hiring essential faculty and staff, building relationships with donors, and developing and submitting grant proposals. I am deeply grateful for her willingness to serve the College in this critical role and for her continued valuable contributions to our campus.”
The Office of the Provost will host an informal reception for Dean Boakye-Boaten in the Erwin Hall lobby on Thursday, May 1, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM