Jeff McCubbin, who has led Colorado State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences for more than seven years, has announced that he will step down as dean at the end of this academic year.
“I am blessed to be surrounded by people who have supported me and who care about the college, giving of their time and talents to help us collectively advance and grow,” McCubbin said in an Aug. 13 email to college faculty and staff. “I have no doubt the next dean will be happy to assume leadership of this solid and forward-thinking college following the conclusion of the next academic year.”
McCubbin noted in the announcement that he will serve as academic dean for Semester at Sea in fall 2020, and plans to spend more time with his family (including wife Debbie and five grandchildren), exercise more and travel often.
College has thrived
“I want to thank Jeff for his years of service,” Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda said. “The college has thrived under his leadership, and there have been many new initiatives, progress on facilities like the Richardson Design Center, and new programs like Fermentation Science and Technology.”
Miranda also recognized the McCubbins for their civic involvement.
“He and Debbie have made a lot of connections on campus and around Fort Collins,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure to have them be such an active part of our broader community.”
College of Business Dean Beth Walker will chair the national search for McCubbin’s successor, who is expected to be named next summer.
McCubbin, who spearheaded a name change for the college in his first years as dean, said in his Aug. 13 email that CHHS is in a strong position.
“I believe the college is in good shape financially, largely due to a tremendous growth in philanthropic giving to CHHS, leading the University in distance education delivery and maintaining and growing enrollments while building our grant and contract portfolio,” he wrote. “Our vast array of nationally accredited academic programs are highly rated/ranked and improving each year, and we have substantially increased the number of Ph.D. programs in our college. Our mission and its commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence is recognized across this campus as forward-looking and ahead of the curve. We are enhancing and adding to our academic spaces that will enable our students to experience outstanding teaching, learning and research environments.”
McCubbin’s background
McCubbin joined CSU as the college’s dean in July 2011, after serving as executive associate dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Health and Human Sciences and Distinguished Professor of Exercise Science at Oregon State University. He had been at Oregon State since 1988, where he directed an internationally recognized graduate program in movement studies in disability, an area of study designed to develop professionals who respond to motor, physical activity and health needs of people with disabilities. His research has received more than $7 million in funding from various sources, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs. His research, publication record, teaching and service led him to be named an OSU Distinguished Professor in 2007.
He received his Ph.D. in exercise science/special populations from the University of Virginia and his M.A. in special physical education from the University of Connecticut. He earned his B.S. in physical education from East Stroudsburg State College in Pennsylvania.
