Kelly Young appointed interim dean for the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts

Below is an announcement made from Wayne State University's Office of the Provost.

Dear WSU community,

After consultation with leaders across campus, including our shared governance leadership, and with the enthusiastic support of the Faculty Council in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kelly Young as Interim Dean, effective immediately.

Dr. Young has served in leadership roles in CFPCA since 2005, when he joined Wayne State as faculty and Director of Forensics, a position he held until 2019.

Under his leadership, CFPCA students won national and state championships and regularly ranked in the top 25 programs in the country. In 2019, he took on the role of Director of Graduate Studies.

Throughout Dr. Young's time at Wayne State, he has helped advance the mission of CFPCA and the university by serving on many committees, including faculty advisory boards, general education oversight, and academic program review.

He has been recognized many times for his leadership and service to the university and his professional field, having received the 2023 WSU Outstanding Graduate Director Award, the 2022 American Forensic Association's Distinguished Service Award, and Wayne State's President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018, among other awards. In 2020 Young was selected as a member of the Wayne State's Academy of Teachers.

As Interim Dean, Dr. Young will continue to empower students to create captivating performances, inspire artistic and academic excellence, and conduct innovative research on behalf of our Detroit community.

I am grateful to Dr. Young for his willingness to serve in this interim role at this critical time for the college.

Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, PhD, RN, FAAN
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs