Dean

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Christopher Jenkins has been selected as Dean of the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence University, effective July 1, 2025.

Jenkins, a forward-thinking leader in music higher education, brings a wealth of experience from his time at Oberlin College and Conservatory, where he has served as associate dean for academic support since 2014. At Oberlin, he was instrumental in fostering the academic and artistic growth of conservatory students while leading efforts to expand the music curriculum. During this period, he also actively pursued his own academic and artistic development, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Ph.D. in musicology from Case Western Reserve University.

An accomplished violist, Jenkins has performed with prestigious ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. His versatility as a musician also includes performing in Broadway productions including Les Misérables and The Lion King.

Jenkins has been widely celebrated for his contributions to both academia and the arts, earning a variety of distinguished awards. Among his recent honors are the Faculty Champion Award from Oberlin College, the MLK Jr. Community Service in the Arts Award from The Cleveland Orchestra, and the Irene Chayes "New Voices" Award from the American Society for Aesthetics. He also received the Adel Heinrich Award for Excellence in Musicological Research from Case Western Reserve University and was named third-place laureate in the prestigious Sphinx Competition.

Karen Avery led this search with Keith Mason and Caroline Corry.

The full announcement can be read on Lawrence’s website.