Todd Thierer to serve as School of Dentistry acting dean

The University of Minnesota Provost’s Office has appointed Todd Thierer, D.M.D., M.P.H., to serve as acting dean of the School of Dentistry.

Executive Vice President and Provost Karen Hanson announced the appointment on Wednesday, August 29, at a meeting with School of Dentistry staff and faculty. Thierer, whose term as acting dean became effective August 31, replaces the retiring Leon Assael, D.M.D. Thierer currently serves as associate professor and associate dean for clinical affairs.

Thierer will serve as acting dean until an interim dean is named.  Provost Hanson invited School of Dentistry faculty and staff to submit confidential nominations of faculty candidates (tenure preferred) for the position of interim dean.   Nominations will be accepted at [email protected] until September 15.

Dr. Assael announced in July his decision to step down as dean, a position he held since August 1, 2012.  He is currently on a faculty development leave and will return to faculty for spring semester.