Charles Rybak named UW-Green Bay Dean

Rybak to lead the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as demand for liberal arts degrees and problem solvers continues to rise

GREEN BAY – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Provost Greg Davis officially announced the appointment on May 10, 2018 of Prof. Charles (Chuck) A. Rybak as Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Rybak, the interim dean since the summer of 2017, begins his duties immediately.

Rybak was selected as part of a national search and according to Davis, has proven himself a strong and capable leader dedicated to making a difference on the UW-Green Bay campus and beyond.

“Chuck is a strong champion for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, both on this campus and across the region,” Davis said.  “He is a forward thinker and is committed to working together with faculty, staff and the community to grow liberal arts programming and demonstrate the increasing value of a liberal arts education to employers.”

Rybak will be overseeing the largest College on the UW-Green Bay campus, one that graduated nearly 300 students with majors or minors in May 2018. According to Rybak, several recent national studies highlight the growing need for, and employers’ desire to hire, more liberal-arts trained graduates.

“To be successful, students need the ability to think critically, communicate ideas, integrate knowledge and understand the global, connected world we live in,” Rybak shared. “UW-Green Bay graduates receive those skills and go on to excel in almost every industry sector. In addition to such skills, it is also vital to recognize that the work of the arts, humanities and social sciences strengthens both our culture and our understanding of ourselves as human beings.”

Professionally, Rybak has an impressive record of teaching, scholarship and service including:

• Built a proprietary College Credit in High School program with Pulaski High School
• Helped administer transfer agreements from NWTC into the Democracy and Justice program
• Created an Advisory Board for the College

• Supported the funding to bring famous and inspirational author R.L. Stine to UntitledTown and the Weidner Center

• Initiated a pilot program to rework how teaching is evaluated in the College

• Helped bring the Green Bay-area academic competition back to the UW-Green Bay campus

• Expanded the University’s relationship with the Fine Arts Institute at East High School

• Published his fifth book: “UW Struggle: When a State Attacks Its University”

• Published his first graphic poem, called “John Doe vs. the Half-Heroes of Tomorrow” in Bramble magazine.

• Is managing the integration of new faculty as part of UW-Green Bay’s restructuring with UW-Marinette, UW-Manitowoc and UW-Sheboygan

Rybak has been a member of the UW-Green Bay Humanistic Studies and English faculty since he joined the University in 2010 as an assistant professor. He advanced to the rank of associate professor in 2013 and was promoted to full professor in 2017. From 2003-2010, Rybak was a member of the UW-Colleges’ English department as well as UW-Colleges Online. Additionally, he has several years of experience as a high school English teacher. He was appointed as interim dean at UW-Green Bay in June 2017.

He received his Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Cincinnati, a Master’s degree in English from Iowa State University and Bachelor’s degrees in English and History from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

About the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences takes pride in its engagement with students creating unique communities of learners that engage critically and creatively around issues, problems and solutions. Central to our mission is the promotion of a liberal arts education that is problem-focused and prepares our students for success, career development, and civic engagement. The College offers more than 30 majors and access to award-winning faculty.

About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,158 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

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