Board of Trustees Names Ann E. Cudd Pitt’s New Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor

Ann E. Cudd, dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Boston University, has been named provost and senior vice chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned three degrees in the 1980s.

She was elected by the University’s Board of Trustees at its June 29 annual meeting.

She succeeds Patricia E. Beeson, who was one of Cudd’s professors when she was studying at Pitt. In November 2017, Beeson announced she would return to Pitt’s economics faculty this year. Cudd will begin her tenure at Pitt in September.

Patricia Beeson and Ann E. Cudd“I have known Ann since she was a graduate student at Pitt and have followed her remarkable career,” said Beeson. “I have been deeply impressed by her many significant accomplishments as both a scholar and academic leader. I am confident that with her leadership the University will continue on its path to even greater success.”

As the University’s chief academic officer, Cudd, who also has a master’s degree and Ph.D. in philosophy from Pitt, will lead the development and implementation of Pitt’s academic vision, overseeing the four regional campuses; several centers and other academic areas; and all of the Pittsburgh campus’s schools.

“Ann has a rare capacity to move among the roles of scholar, leader, collaborator and teacher with exceptional ease and remarkable impact,” said Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “But, what has impressed me most about Ann, so far, is her vision for Pitt. It is bold, bright and certain to enhance the University of Pittsburgh’s mission to leverage knowledge for society’s gain. I am thrilled that she is returning to Pitt and excited to watch our University community’s commitment to academic excellence advance in her hands.”

Cudd has served as an administrator and as a professor of philosophy at Boston University since August 2015. As dean, she supervises the academic and research operations of more than 700 full-time faculty members and more than 7,000 students.


I have been so gratified to be welcomed by faculty — including former teachers of mine — and staff and to hear their enthusiasm for the University and its upward trajectory in prominence, diversity and excellence.

Ann E. Cudd, incoming University provost


“I am thrilled to return to the University of Pittsburgh as provost,” said Cudd. “Pitt holds a special place in my heart. It’s a great university that is energizing economic development and social mobility in Western Pennsylvania. I have been so gratified to be welcomed by faculty — including former teachers of mine — and staff and to hear their enthusiasm for the University and its upward trajectory in prominence, diversity and excellence. I believe we can do even more to promote our world-class liberal education and innovative research to the broader national and global community.”

She added, “I am particularly excited to work with deans, faculty, staff and students to increase the diversity and inclusiveness of the University community and to fully engage my fellow alumni for a lifelong connection to the University we love.”

Ann E. Cudd greets studentsShe previously worked at the University of Kansas for 25 years in a variety of faculty and administrative roles, most recently as a University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and as vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies. She also held a two-year faculty appointment at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

“Provost Cudd seems like an excellent fit for Pitt,” said Chris Bonneau, Senate president and a political science faculty member. “She has a real appreciation for the importance of shared governance and I am excited to begin working with her.”

As a philosopher, Cudd has explored a number of topics — including capitalism, feminism, inequality and oppression — in more than 50 books, articles and chapters. One of those books, “Analyzing Oppression,” was recognized as an Outstanding Academic Title in 2007 by the Association of College and Research Libraries’ publishing unit Choice.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Ann Cudd back to the University and the department,” said Robert Batterman, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy within the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. “Her scholarly work — ranging from social and political philosophy and feminist theory to the philosophy of economics — has informed her approaches to current issues impacting higher education. Cudd’s research, along with her service to higher education, will considerably strengthen not only our department but also the University of Pittsburgh as a whole.”

Her research interests are also reflected in her leadership as vice president and president-elect of the American section of the International Association for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy.

Cudd earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy at Swarthmore College.

Contact

Katie Fike, kfike@pitt.edu, 412-624-1085