Brian E. Raines Named Dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

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Brian E. Raines

Brian E. Raines has been appointed as the dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, effective June 30, 2024. Raines will succeed interim dean Kathryn Sloan, who will return to the Fulbright College faculty as professor of history.

"I'm pleased to appoint Dr. Raines and welcome him to the University of Arkansas," said Provost Terry Martin. "His experience as an administrator at various levels within Baylor University's College of Arts & Sciences makes him well suited to lead Fulbright College as dean. He made significant contributions to Baylor's research enterprise, undergraduate programs and overall strategic plan, and I'm grateful he will lend his talents and expertise to the U of A and help advance student success and research excellence in Fulbright College and the university."

Raines comes to the U of A from Baylor University, where he most recently served as professor of mathematics, Faculty Regent and associate dean for research, operations and strategic planning in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Raines served as a faculty member at Baylor University for more than 20 years. In his time at Baylor University, he was also associate dean for undergraduate studies, undergraduate program director for the Department of Mathematics, chair of the Faculty Senate and a member of the Faculty Steering Committee for Revision of Core Curriculum.

"I'm thrilled to join the University of Arkansas, and I'm thankful to Provost Martin for entrusting me to serve as dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences," Raines said. "I look forward to engaging with faculty, staff, students and university leadership to further the strategic priorities and goals of the university and elevate Fulbright College's profile within the region, the SEC and the nation."

As a mathematician and scholar, Raines conducts research on the topology of pathological spaces that arise in dynamical systems. His research also involves applications of topology to non-deterministic dynamical systems that arise in mathematical economics. He has contributed to 40 publications, including the journals Advances in Mathematics and Algebraic and Geometric Topology, and he has participated in numerous research presentations and lectures across the world. Raines also serves as a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation and the American Mathematical Society, among others. 

Raines received a bachelor's degree in English literature and mathematics from Hendrix College. He received a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Oxford. For more information on Raines, view his curriculum vitae.

"I want to thank Dr. Kathryn Sloan for serving as interim dean for Fulbright College and providing great leadership during this transition," Martin said. "I'd like to also thank Dean of Libraries Jason Battles for serving as the chair of the search committee and providing outstanding leadership throughout the search process."

About Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on the University of Arkansas campus with three schools, 16 departments and numerous academic programs and research centers. The college provides the majority of the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students. Get the inside scoop on all things Fulbright College by subscribing to the digital Fulbright REVIEW publication. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.