Stetson University has selected Kyle C. Longest, PhD, as the next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences through a national search that drew a robust and highly qualified applicant pool.  

He will join Stetson in his role as dean on July 15.

Currently, Longest serves as Associate Academic Dean (a position he has held since 2020) and Professor of Sociology at Furman University, where he began his career as a faculty member in 2009 and served as department chair from 2016-20. In 2022-23, he served as Interim University Registrar. For several years, he has served as Associate Director and Facilitator at the Associated Colleges of the South’s annual Teaching and Learning Workshop.

Longest holds an MA and PhD in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a BA in Sociology and History from Indiana University. 

His research focuses broadly on understanding how adolescents manage the transition to young adulthood, with particular attention on their religious and education trajectories. Primarily employing longitudinal, quantitative analyses, he has produced two books, numerous peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters. 

As the College of Arts and Sciences pursues continuing and expanded excellence in experiential, contemporary and integrative learning connected to the Forward Together Strategic Priorities and Plan, Longest is exceptionally well positioned to lead the work ahead, according to Provost Elizabeth Skomp, PhD. 

“His extensive experience in student-facing administrative and leadership roles, facilitating collaboration between units and divisions across campus, and his leadership of faculty processes and policymaking will serve him well as he embarks on his new role,” Skomp commented. 

“On behalf of search committee co-chair Professor Will Miles, the other members of the search committee and everyone who participated in the selection process, we warmly welcome Kyle Longest to our community,” Skomp added.