After an extensive national search that began in October, the University of Central Florida has selected Jeffrey Moore, director of UCF’s School of Performing Arts, as its new dean of the College of Arts & Humanities. He will start his new role Aug. 8.
Moore joined UCF in 1994 as the university’s first full-time percussion professor. He became chair of the Music Department from 2009 to 2013, and he began his role as the director of UCF’s newly created School of Performing Arts in 2013.
“From a pool of terrific candidates, Professor Moore stood out because of his strong leadership abilities and his innovative vision for strengthening the college’s academic and interdisciplinary research mission at UCF,” said Provost and Executive Vice President A. Dale Whittaker.
During his music and teaching career, Moore has been involved with more than 60 literary and music projects as an author, composer or arranger, and is an international performer, lecturer, clinician and soloist. His work on several local boards and committees has helped build awareness of the arts and relationships with UCF partners. In his new role, he will advance the college while continuing to enhance UCF’s arts presence in our community and beyond.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to join UCF’s outstanding senior academic leadership team,” Moore said. “Throughout my career, I have always enjoyed collaborating with faculty, students and our community partners. This new position will allow me to expand on those activities and enhance our presence even more.”
Moore holds a bachelor’s in music education from the University of North Texas and a master’s in percussion performance from the University of Wisconsin.
He is also the Region 7 chair of the National Association of Schools of Music, serving on its board of directors as well as the board of advisors for the Percussive Arts Society.
Under his leadership as director of UCF’s School of Performing Arts, both the theatre and music departments received accreditation or reaccreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre and National Association of Schools of Music. Moore also helped create UCF Celebrates the Arts, a multi-week festival that highlights UCF’s arts and interdisciplinary programs that recently held its second season.
“When you consider our opportunities as we pursue recognition as a Florida preeminent university, along with campus performance-space construction and also our involvement with UCF Downtown, it is a very exciting time for the arts and humanities at UCF,” Moore said. “I can’t wait to get started!”
Moore will be taking over the role of dean from José Fernández, who will be stepping down and returning to the history faculty this fall. Fernández has been dean of the College of Arts & Humanities since 2006.
Dr. Steven Chicurel-Stein of the Theatre Department has been named interim director of the School of Performing Arts while a search is conducted to fill the role permanently.