Giacomo M. "Jack" Oliva, dean of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, has announced his resignation to become provost at the Fashion Institute of Technology at the State University of New York. Oliva has been dean of Fine and Performing Arts since 2001.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ellen Weissinger said the college's associate dean, Christin Mamiya, Hixson-Lied professor of Art and Art History, will serve as interim dean.
"Jack Oliva has been an exceptionally successful dean in every way," Weissinger said. "Jack's leadership resulted in high expectations and high morale within the college. He created a national model for the relevance and centrality of the fine and performing arts at a major research university. Jack leaves behind a strong college with a bright future. He also leaves behind a great many friends who will miss his warmth and genuineness."
Oliva previously served as director of the School of Music at the University of Florida, as head of the department of music at Mississippi State University, as director of music for the Leonia, N.J., Public Schools, and as an instrumental and vocal music teacher in several New Jersey school districts.
He has presented papers and lecture recitals for International Society for Music Education, the College Music Society, MENC, the Australian Society for Music Education, the Association of Teacher Educators, and the Music Teachers National Association. Oliva had a two-year term as president of the International Society for Music Education, beginning in 2002. He was Nebraska Educational Office Professional Association's Educational Administrator of the Year in 2006.
Oliva's special interest in Ragtime and other forms of American popular music was known communitywide and statewide through his numerous concerts and speeches. He holds degrees from Montclair State University and from New York University with additional study in administration and curriculum at Seton Hall University.
The Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York City at Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, was founded in 1944 and offers 43 majors and eight certificates. With 185 tenured full-time faculty and 492 FTE faculty, its student population is about 10,413 students.
- Kelly Bartling, University Communications