College of Liberal Arts appoints new interim dean

The University will replace the interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, according to reporting on Friday by the Austin American-Statesman. Daniel Brinks, who currently serves as a COLA associate dean, will succeed David Sosa in the temporary position starting Wednesday, and will continue until August 2027. The announcement was shared with faculty in an email this afternoon, according to the Statesman.

Sosa was appointed in June 2025 and oversaw the consolidation of ethnic and gender studies programs into its current Department of Social and Cultural Analysis. Under Sosa, Brinks served as chair of the advisory committee that considered these changes and remodeled the college into its present structure. Brinks has also worked as a professor of government and law at UT and holds a doctorate from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the University of Michigan. 

When Brinks finishes his appointment, it will have been almost three years since the college had a permanent dean. The last to hold the position was Ann Stevens, who was denied a second term as dean in 2024.

A UT spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

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