Jeffrey Kallberg named interim dean of Penn Arts & Sciences

Jeffrey Kallberg has been named interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, effective Jan. 1. Kallberg currently serves as deputy dean and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Music.

The announcement was made today by Interim President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson Jr.

Steven J. Fluharty, who has served as dean of the School of Arts & Sciences since 2013, earlier announced his intention to step down at the end of December 2024.

"As deputy dean, Professor Kallberg has played a pivotal role in managing the daily operations of the dean's office, particularly in faculty affairs," Jameson says. "He is an internationally recognized scholar, a leading historian of 19th and 2oth century music, and a foremost authority on composer Frédéric Chopin."

Previously, as associate dean for arts and letters since 2010, he oversaw academic programs in the humanities, encompassing 16 departments, including English, history, music, and philosophy.

His achievements include acclaimed publications and groundbreaking work authenticating lost Chopin compositions. He has served as vice president of the American Musicological Society and received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Guggenheim Foundation. At Penn, he has held several key leadership roles, including chair of the Department of Music and member of the school's Personnel Committee and Planning and Priorities Committee.

"Jeff Kallberg has long been one of Penn's most thoughtful and committed leaders," Jackson says. "We are deeply grateful for his willingness to take on the stewardship of our wide-ranging arts and sciences programs, at a time when the historic missions of research, teaching, and learning are more critical than ever."

The School of Arts and Sciences is central to advancing Penn's academic and research priorities and stands as a national and international leader in the liberal arts. With 28 departments and numerous interdisciplinary programs, the school drives cutting-edge scholarship across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. SAS plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges, from pioneering climate research to deepening human understanding in fields such as neuroscience, political science, and cultural studies.

"I am honored to step into this role," Kallberg says. "The School of Arts & Sciences has been my professional home for over four decades, and I am deeply committed to its mission of excellence in research, teaching, and service. I look forward to working with our exceptional community to sustain the School's forward momentum as we prepare for its next chapter."

A resolution to appoint Kallberg as interim dean will be presented at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees. He will serve until a permanent successor takes office next year.