As Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SOAS), Steve is the academic and administrative leader of the college’s largest and most diverse school. His role is key to advancing Fort Lewis College’s liberal arts mission, supporting various disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and natural and computational sciences. In his role as dean of SOAS, Steve focuses on promoting academic excellence, supporting faculty development, and ensuring that programs offer innovative, inclusive, and responsive educational opportunities that meet the evolving needs of students. His leadership is rooted in the belief that education should be transformative—empowering students to think critically, engage deeply, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. He collaborates with department chairs, faculty, staff, and campus leaders to foster student success and engagement. He also oversees budgets, personnel, and academic policies within the school, ensuring alignment with the college’s mission, goals, and strategic plan. Steve has been a professor in the Biology Department since 2013. His research interests center on cellular and molecular biology, and he has published work across various fields, including virology, neurobiology, cell biology, oncology, immunology, environmental microbiology, and wildlife disease.