UW-Stout names Schmitt as dean of the College of Arts and Human Science

Menomonie, Wis. — A new dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences has been named at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

The appointment of Jason Schmitt was announced recently by Glendalí Rodríguez, UW-Stout provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Schmitt, who began work in August, is responsible for overseeing 27 undergraduate and 14 Graduate Studies programs, eight academic departments and the schools of education, and art and design.

“Dr. Schmitt brings wonderful cross-disciplinary skillsets as the college’s leader – including a passion for student success and open access to scientific and academic scholarship. He also brings great polytechnic energy to the university with a background in communication and entrepreneurship,” Rodríguez said.

“I am excited to welcome him to the UW-Stout community and look forward to working with him and CAHS on our goals as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University,” she added.

Schmitt most recently was interim dean for the School of Arts and Sciences at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. Schmitt also served as an associate dean of Strategic Development and Recruitment and was chair of the department of communication, media and design for eight years. 

Schmitt’s academic career has focused heavily on the advocacy of open access to scientific scholarship and outputs. His documentary, “Paywall: The Business of Scholarship,” has had more than 700 public screenings globally and more than 350,000 views online. 

He has traveled extensively, speaking with universities, governments and political leaders about the need of adapting to the European Coalition Plan S, which requires research outputs to be globally accessible on day one of publication.

In 2023, Schmitt was elected to be part of the ACM US Technology Policy Generative AI Committee Workgroup, bringing together 15 leaders in the space from organizations like Health Ethics Trust, Google, Meta/Facebook, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, SecureWorks and Stanford University. The committee delivered eight principles intended to foster fair, accurate and beneficial decision-making concerning AI technologies to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“I’m honored to serve this UW-Stout community,” Schmitt said. “Growing up in a Midwestern tool-and-die manufacturing family, the polytechnic roots resonate with my life’s paths, and I know how rare — and needed — applied learning expertise is, not only here in Wisconsin, but also on a national and global scale.”

Schmitt replaces Maria Alm, who retired after 12 years as dean.

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.