New York’s Eastman School of Music Dean to Step Down

Jamal J. Rossi has served in the role since 2014 and will complete his tenure in the 2023/24 academic year

Serving as current dean of the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, Jamal J. Rossi has announced he will not seek reappointment after his current term which will end after the 2023/24 school year.

Prior to his appointment in 2014 as the school’s Joan and Martin Messinger Dean, Rossi was its executive associate dean from 2005-2014, as well as interim dean and acting dean.

Throughout his tenure, Rossi hired over 60% of the current Eastman faculty, oversaw capital and infrastructure projects, led numerous new degrees and certifications, plus created 11 new professorships, and secured 138 new endowed scholarships.

Additionally, Rossi established the school’s first diversity committee and hired the school’s first associate dean for equity and inclusion; the ROCmusic Collaborative; a partnership with Gateways Music Festival; the Eastman Action Commission for Racial Justice; and the George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion in Music.

Before departing the role, Rossi will continue leading the school through a successful re-accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music and advancing the Eastman’s strategic plan.

The Eastman School will soon be announcing a dean search committee for the national search to next fill the position.

“Serving as [dean] of the Eastman School of Music has been the greatest honor of my life,” Rossi said. “The opportunity to work with tremendously talented and dedicated faculty and staff colleagues in service of educating future generations of musicians has been an extraordinary privilege.

“I am proud of all that the Eastman community has accomplished together over the past ten years, and I look forward to an exceptionally bright future for Eastman and the University.”

“The University of Rochester, the Eastman School of Music and the city of Rochester have benefited greatly from Jamal’s leadership and service,” said Provost David Figlio. “An extraordinary judge of musical talent, Jamal has led Eastman with an eye to the future and reverence for the past for nearly 20 years.”

“Dean Rossi’s extraordinary commitment to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the Eastman School has paved the way for a future filled with even greater possibilities, both for the School and for the University,” added president Sarah Mangelsdorf. “We deeply appreciate his years of dedicated service.”