Statler College names two to assistant dean positions

Jason Dean and Shams Khan

Two individuals with proven track records in their respective roles have been appointed to assistant dean positions in West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

R. Jason Dean, who has worked at WVU for more than a decade in a variety of budget-management roles, has been named assistant dean for administration. He will have oversight for the College’s finances, as well as human resources, information technology, safety and facilities.

“The faculty, staff and students in the Statler College do great things on campus, across West Virginia and outside its borders,” Dean said. “As assistant dean for administration, I can provide a new perspective to our customer service functions that will hopefully allow the Statler College to continue its upward trajectory.”

Dean joined the College in 2014 as its chief business planning officer. He was responsible for payroll, procurement, and sponsored research activities for College, including supervising a business office with 10 budgetary units, and annual budget of $120 million and a staff of eight employees.

Dean is a four-time graduate of WVU, earning a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degrees in public administration, history and business administration. He replaces Royce J. Watts, who served in a variety of roles, most notably associate dean for administration, in the College for nearly four decades. Watts, who will retire on February 28, will serve in a limited role as a special assistant to the dean on a variety of on-going projects.

Shams Khan, who has been named assistant dean for development, has amassed a considerable track record in fundraising, alumni relations and relationship building. A three-time graduate of Western Michigan University, Khan spent seven years at his alma mater working in a variety of roles including associate vice president for engagement. During his tenure he oversaw development and alumni relations for the College of Engineering and Applied Science as well as the Colleges of Aviation and Education and Human Development.

Most recently Khan served as head of major gifts, donor relations and stewardship at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. He developed the strategy and implementation of the College’s major gifts program, which saw gifts from new and existing donors nearly double.

At WVU, Khan, who calls the job “a very strong fit” for his skill set, will manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, supervise all development office staff and create and implement a comprehensive development plan and a donor relations and stewardship plan for the College.

“I am excited to join the team in the Statler College,” Khan said. “I look forward to working with the alumni and the broader WVU family to help provide the resources that will take the College, the faculty and most important of all, the students, to the next level. My family and I are looking forward to joining the WVU community.”

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