Dear Faculty and Staff:

Onye Ozuzu will step down from her position as dean of the University of Florida College of the Arts (COTA), effective Jan. 1, 2024. 
 
Associate Dean Jennifer Setlow has accepted the position of interim dean of COTA starting Jan. 2, 2024. Her appointment will provide a smooth transition during the search next year for a permanent successor to Ozuzu. 
 
Setlow has served as associate dean for academic and student affairs since she joined the college in 2017. In this role she oversees curriculum, advising, and student services for the college, guides work with the New World School for the Arts in Miami, and assists with the tenure and promotion process.
 
Under Dean Ozuzu’s leadership, the college grew its faculty by 44%, foundation annual fund-raising grew from $1.6 million to $6 million, and annual sponsored research funding surged from $102,000 to $2.3 million. In addition, the college launched innovative programs of study to prepare graduates for emerging employment opportunities, including the MFA in Design and Visual Communications in the School of Art + Art History. Ozuzu will join the COTA faculty, focus on research, and return to teaching.

President Sasse and I are tremendously grateful for Dean Ozuzu’s work. Please join in us in thanking Dean Ozuzu for her five years of leadership and Setlow for taking on interim dean responsibilities at COTA.