Inaugural dean: Gesine Gerhard, PhD heads the new Saint Mary’s School of Arts & Sciences, which brings together the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities in one academic home. / Photo courtesy Drake University
Saint Mary’s Names Gesine Gerhard Inaugural Dean of the New School of Arts & Sciences
This experienced academic leader and scholar will help guide the College’s newly unified School of Arts & Sciences, advancing interdisciplinary learning, academic innovation, and whole-person education.
Saint Mary’s College of California has named Gesine Gerhard, PhD, a nationally respected academic leader, scholar, and educator, as the inaugural Dean of its new School of Arts & Sciences, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Gerhard joins Saint Mary’s following eight years as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Drake University, where she led the institution’s largest academic unit through a period of academic innovation, interdisciplinary growth, strategic planning, and enrollment transformation. Her appointment comes as Saint Mary’s launches its newly unified School of Arts & Sciences, bringing together the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities within a single academic home designed to foster deeper collaboration and expanded opportunities for students and faculty alike.
“Dr. Gerhard brings an exceptional combination of academic leadership, strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and deep commitment to liberal arts education,” said Carol Ann Gittens, PhD, MBA, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “She understands both the enduring importance of the arts and sciences and the increasingly interdisciplinary ways students learn, think, and prepare for meaningful lives and careers. Her leadership will help shape this exciting next chapter for Saint Mary’s.”
Forward-looking programs with enduring value
At Drake University, Dr. Gerhard served as chief academic officer for a college comprising more than 40 academic programs and approximately 140 faculty members across the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. She led major initiatives focused on academic innovation, student success, experiential learning, interdisciplinary programming, faculty development, fundraising, and strategic enrollment growth.
“She understands both the enduring importance of the arts and sciences and the increasingly interdisciplinary ways students learn, think, and prepare for meaningful lives and careers.”
— Carol Ann Gittens, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Among her accomplishments, Dr. Gerhard helped develop forward-looking interdisciplinary programs in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to zoo and conservation science while continuing to champion the enduring value of a broad-based liberal arts education grounded in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, creativity, and effective communication.
Prior to her leadership at Drake, Dr. Gerhard served in several academic leadership roles at University of the Pacific, including Associate Dean of the College of the Pacific and Director of General Education, where she helped lead university-wide curricular reform, first-year experience initiatives, and programs focused on student belonging and retention.
A scholar of modern European and German history, Dr. Gerhard’s research has focused on World War II, the Holocaust, food politics, and social history. She has published extensively, presented internationally, and remained actively engaged in teaching throughout her administrative career.
Dr. Gerhard’s leadership philosophy also aligns strongly with Saint Mary’s Lasallian, Catholic mission and commitment to whole-person education. Throughout her career, she has emphasized inclusive excellence, compassionate leadership, global citizenship, and the transformative power of education to serve both individuals and communities.
“The School of Arts & Sciences represents an important and forward-looking moment for Saint Mary’s,” said Provost Gittens. “Dr. Gerhard brings both the experience and the human-centered leadership needed to help guide the school as it builds innovative academic pathways, strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, and continues preparing students to navigate a rapidly changing world with purpose, curiosity, and compassion.”
Earlier this week, Saint Mary’s announced the creation of the School of Arts & Sciences as part of a broader academic vision designed to strengthen collaboration across disciplines while reaffirming the central role of the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences in a Saint Mary’s education.
