College of Fine Arts Dean Matthew Shaftel to serve as 11th President of Russell Sage College

Matthew Shaftel, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, has announced his plans to leave Ohio University at the end of June. He has accepted a new role as the 11th President of Russell Sage College in Albany and Troy, NY.

Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs will announce the selection of an interim dean in the coming weeks, and a national search will be conducted in the upcoming academic year.

“Dean Shaftel is an innovative leader who has left a lasting mark on Ohio University and the college,” Provost Sayrs said. “We are grateful for his work to advance the Fine Arts at OHIO, and we’re confident that he leaves the college exceptionally well-placed to continue its positive trajectory.”

Having served as Dean of the College of Fine Arts for seven years, Dean Shaftel led the college through significant growth, including increases in student enrollment and student success, the launch of numerous new academic programs, the addition of the Performing Arts and Concert Series, and the award-winning University Dance Team to the college portfolio. The College has received transformational philanthropic gifts and pledges during his tenure, and he has been at the forefront of planning for an upcoming $94 million capital project that will include significant renovation of Fine Arts facilities and the construction of the new Patton Center for Arts Education. In addition, he has been a strong advocate for the Marching 110 during his tenure and was integral in the planning for the band practice facility that was announced two weeks ago.

Beyond his leadership of the college, Shaftel contributed significantly to many university-wide efforts, including recently serving on the presidential search committee and on the Engage committee for OHIO’s Dynamic Strategy development. Before joining Ohio University, Shaftel served in multiple leadership roles at both public and private institutions including Dean of the Westminster College of the Arts and Executive of the Princeton Campus at Rider University and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida State University, where he helped lead the development of a signature general-education program, Liberal Studies for the 21st Century. 

Shaftel begins his appointment at Russell Sage College on July 1.