Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, a Fresno State professor of Spanish and Portuguese and interim associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, has been named dean of the college, effective Jan. 1.
Fresno State Provost Lynnette Zelezny announced the appointment, calling Jiménez-Sandoval “a stellar scholar and master of languages” who has earned the respect of the faculty for his integrity, collaborative spirit and commitment to students. “He is a visionary and an articulate leader who will bridge the arts and humanities at Fresno State to lead the college toward a bright future.”
Jiménez-Sandoval will succeed Interim Dean José A. Díaz, who was not a candidate for the position. Díaz will be on special assignment in the spring semester.
The College of Arts and Humanities has 2,250 students majoring in its nine departments: art and design, communication, English, linguistics, mass communication and journalism, modern and classical languages and literatures, music, philosophy and theatre arts.
Over 4,000 students are enrolled in College of Arts and Humanities courses, the highest number in any college at Fresno State. In addition to the majors, the college’s programs include Armenian studies, classical studies, interdisciplinary humanities and study abroad in London and Florence, Italy.
The College of Arts and Humanities has 150 full-time faculty and over 160 part-time faculty, graduate assistants, graduate teaching associates and clerical and technical staff.
Jiménez-Sandoval joined the Fresno State faculty in 2000. He chaired the Department of Modern and Classical Languages for six years, and was instrumental in developing the master’s degree program in Spanish. He has directed 26 master’s theses. He directs the college’s Advising Center, and he serves as coordinator of the College Honors Program and liaison to Fresno’s Mexican Consulate. He also is co-coordinator of the oral communication section for WASC reaccreditation and faculty adviser to the Central California World Language project.
A native of Mexico, Jiménez-Sandoval holds dual Mexican and U.S. citizenship. He grew up in Fowler and worked on his family’s farm. After graduating from Fowler High School, he attended the University of California, Irvine and earned bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and history and a Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese literatures. He holds certificates from universities in Spain and Portugal in language, literatures and culture, and a certificate in critical theory from Cornell University.
He has published extensively on Spanish Golden Age authors, Mexican literature and Portuguese poetry.
“I’m excited and energized by the opportunity to lead the college in ways that promote the value of our diverse disciplines,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “The College of Arts and Humanities is at the heart of the University, our Valley and our lives.”
