After a decade of leadership and innovation at UMD, Keith Marzullo is transitioning on June 30, 2025 to a new position at UMass Amherst
Keith Marzullo with UMD Mascot Testudo
Dear colleagues and College of Information community,
I write to share the news that Keith Marzullo, Dean of the College of Information, is stepping down from his role to serve in a new position as the Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Dean of the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Over the past decade, Dean Marzullo, in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners, fostered the College of Information’s transformation into one of the most prestigious and highly-ranked information colleges in the country.
During Dean Marzullo’s tenure, he guided the College of Information through a period of dynamic growth. He revitalized the college’s strategic plan, oversaw the development of new academic programs, spearheaded partnerships, and expanded the college’s research areas.
Under his leadership, the College of Information launched its first undergraduate degree program, which today is the second largest at UMD, as well as two additional bachelor’s programs and two master’s programs, bringing the college’s offerings to ten degree programs. Since he became dean in 2016, student enrollment increased from 500 to more than 2,600, and in 2021, the college’s flagship Master of Library and Information Science program became a top five ranked program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Dean Marzullo’s passion for interdisciplinary collaboration enabled innovative program development with partners across campus and created opportunities to advance UMD’s research capabilities in developing novel and user-focused information technologies and solutions. During his time as dean, the college established faculty joint appointments with the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the School of Public Health. The college also launched or co-launched a dozen interdisciplinary research groups that include partners from across UMD.
Dean Marzullo’s commitment to advancing innovative information technologies and systems, working hands-on with communities and organizations, and partnering for good has led to the college’s growth of external partnerships that advance impactful research. These relationships have also expanded opportunities for the college’s students, with new scholarship funds established and more than 100 organizations annually providing hands-on projects for students.
Dean Marzullo will continue in his role through June 30, 2025. I’m grateful to Doug Oard, professor in the College of Information, who has agreed to serve as interim dean beginning July 1, 2025. Professor Oard has been a faculty member in the college since 1996, and his research focuses on information technology, user modeling and information retrieval. He holds a joint appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, and affiliate appointments with the Department of Computer Science and the Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Scientific Computation Program. A national search for a new dean will commence in the fall.
Please join me in thanking Dean Marzullo and wishing him well in his new role!
Sincerely,
Jennifer King Rice
Senior Vice President and Provost
She/Her/Hers