Oliver Avens manages the faculty search process in the four academic divisions and oversees the recruitment and appointment process for assistant professors and instructors. As secretary of the Advisory Committee on Appointments and Advancements in the Lecturer Ranks (the C/9), he oversees the appointment and promotion process for professors of the practice, university lecturers, and senior lecturers.  In addition, he administers the appointment and reappointment of program chairs and directors.  He reviews and approves requests for the extension of term and workload relief following childbirth or adoption, as well as faculty requests for medical accommodation.  Oliver also manages the selection process for two major honorific teaching awards: the President's Award for Distinguished Teaching and the Visiting Professorship for Distinguished Teaching.  He represents the Dean's office on a number of committees, including the Committee on the Course of Study. 

Prior to joining the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, Oliver was dean of Rockefeller College, director of studies at Forbes College, and assistant professor in the Politics Department at Princeton.  He has a B.A. in Political Science and History from Williams College and a Ph.D. from Yale University, specializing in political theory.

Areas of Responsibility

• AHIRE - Search Plans and Ad Approval (Tenure Track faculty)
• C/9 (Promotion, Continuing Appointment and Review Committee)
• Centers, Programs and Institutes - Directorships
• Extension of Term following Childbirth/Adoption - Faculty
• Childcare Workload Relief - Faculty
• President's Award for Distinguished Teaching (PADT)
• Recruitment -Junior Faculty (Tenure-track Faculty), Senior Lecturers, University Lecturers and Professors of the Practice, and  Instructors
• Searches - Junior Faculty (Tenure-track Faculty), Senior Lecturers, University Lecturers and Professors of the Practice, and  Instructors
• Salary Review - Senior Lecturers, University Lecturers, Professors of the Practice, and Instructors
• Visiting Professors for Distinguished Teaching (VPDT)