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The University of Utah has chosen a literary scientist as dean of the Honors College, succeeding Martha Bradley, who recently was promoted to associate vice president for academic affairs.
Sylvia Torti joined the U. faculty in 2003 as research assistant professor of biology and is currently associate director of Rio Mesa, the U.'s research and education center near Moab. Her new appointment is subject to approval by the Academic Senate and U. trustees.
"Sylvia brings a rich combination of intellectual and professional experience to Honors as a biologist, creative writer and adept administrator of Rio Mesa," Bradley said in a news release. "Her perspective on interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning will serve the College and its students well, but even more important are Sylvia's immense energy and creativity. She is going to be an amazing dean to watch."
The college is building a residential-academic complex near the Huntsman Center.
Torti earned her doctorate in biology at the U., doing research in tropical regions of the Congo and the Caribbean. Besides gathering data, she amassed material for her novel The Scorpion's Tail, which won the Miguel Mármol Award honoring debut fiction by an American of Latino heritage.
"Pragmatic solutions to life's complex problems will increasingly require 'nimble experts' who are adept at thinking beyond their disciplines, who can collaborate, communicate and innovate," Torti said in the U. release. "An Honors education with many opportunities for that kind of engaged learning helps prepare such well-rounded citizens, and I look forward to guiding the Honors College, one of the U.'s unique assets, to its next stage of success."