Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on December 9.

Deans Hayes, Goza to retire in 2023

Eileen M. Hayes, dean of the College of Arts and Communication, and Franklin Goza, dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, will retire from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater next year, they announced.

“It has been an honor to work with Dean Hayes and Dean Goza. Their commitment to the university and our mission of transforming lives is something I have been able to observe on a daily basis,” said Robin Fox, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Over the years, I’ve seen their strong support of their colleges, administrative teams, faculty and staff, their commitment to shared governance and their focus on students through offering high-quality, rigorous programs. Their retirements are well deserved and I wish them the very best. On a personal note, I will miss their thoughtful counsel, which I have often turned to for guidance.”

Hayes joined the Warhawk family in August of 2017.

“Dean Hayes, a noted scholar of Black music and LGBTQ community formation, has an impressive vitae. Of special note is her role in the College Music Society, which is the largest professional music society for the multi-disciplines,” Fox said. “She is the immediate past-president of the organization. This level of leadership is significant and helps to continue to elevate UW-Whitewater and the College of Arts and Communication on a national level.”

In a message to the college, Hayes remarked, “As I have said on numerous occasions, it is a pleasure to join you in furthering the education of our students. We have a marvelous faculty, academic staff, and university staff; the list of accomplishments of Music, Art and Design, Communication, Theatre/Dance, and Media Arts and Game Development is long. Daily, I marvel at my good fortune at having had the opportunity to work with you.”

Goza began his leadership role at UW-Whitewater as associate dean in August of 2013, and was hired as dean in June of 2019.

“Dean Goza’s work at UW-Whitewater has resulted in new majors, minors, certificates and emphases,” Fox said. “I would also draw attention to his support for the development of two new departments under his leadership — Computer Science and World Languages and Cultures. This type of support for the members of the college is just one example of Dean Goza’s strong and responsive leadership.”

In a message to the college, Goza remarked, “I want to thank all of you for everything that you do to make this a great college. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you and to serve as one of the college leaders during the past 10 years. It is truly a bittersweet moment for me as I thoroughly enjoy what I do, especially being able to interact on a regular basis with such dedicated and inspirational individuals like you.”

Hayes’ retirement is effective March 13, and Goza will retire June 30.  

The national search for the College of Letters and Sciences dean has already begun and the national search for the dean of the College of Arts and Communication will be launched early in the spring semester.