Meet the New Columbian College Dean

As the new school year begins, CCAS Dean Ben Vinson III has a message for students.

August 23, 2013

Dean Vinson

Not yet a full month into his role as the new dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Ben Vinson III says he already feels a “dynamism” emanating through campus, exciting him for the year ahead.

An expert on Latin American history, Dr. Vinson comes to the George Washington University from Johns Hopkins University’s Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, where he served as vice dean for centers, interdepartmental programs and graduate programs. A member of JHU’s faculty since 2006, Dr. Vinson was also the Herbert Baxter Adams Professor of Latin American History and formerly directed the university’s Center for Africana Studies.

In a brief interview, Dr. Vinson discusses his priorities as dean, his research background, what he likes to do in his free time and the message he has for CCAS students as the fall semester begins.