Two faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) were appointed to college leadership positions. Distinguished Professor Dan Nettleton, professor of statistics and chair of the Department of Statistics from 2019 until last month, was appointed associate dean for finance and operations, effective July 1, 2026. Brad Dell, professor and chair of the Department of Music and Theatre, will serve a one-year term as interim associate dean for strategic innovation, effective August 1, 2026.
“I’m excited about the incredible qualities that Brad and Dan bring to their new roles,” Benjamin C. Withers, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said. “Both have a wealth of leadership experience, an entrepreneurial mindset, an innovative approach to teaching, research, and operations; and a reputation for collaborative success.”
Nettleton will oversee financial, human resource, faculty development, legal, facility, and technology operations in the college. Nettleton brings a long history of leadership and service to the associate dean role. A recipient of the LAS Award for Outstanding Leadership – and the ISU Award for Early Achievement in Departmental Leadership, he has been recognized for the innovative advancement of research, teaching, learning; and the development of faculty, staff and students. The department consistently achieves a top 25 national ranking for statistics graduate programs, and maintains a robust collaborative research portfolio.
Nettleton has also earned multiple honors for his research, including a prestigious designation as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow and an American Statistical Association Fellow. His research has involved the development of theory and methods for data-driven modeling, analysis, and prediction in areas such as molecular biology and sports.
He is respected for his collaborative efforts across campus, including his contributions to developing the Dependable Data-Driven Discovery Program and the recently launched fully online Master of Applied Statistics degree program.
Nettleton, who will serve a five-year term, earned his Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Iowa.
Dell, a celebrated strategic leader and collaborator, will lead efforts in improving college culture and climate; professional development; innovative practices, and strategic initiatives. He brings a wide range of experience and skills developing faculty and staff – as a department chair, an LAS Dean’s Fellow, co-director of Iowa State’s Emerging Leaders Academy, and numerous other leadership roles for local and national organizations such as the Kennedy Center and the Iowa Stage Theatre Company.
Respected by peers on campus and throughout the nation, he’s achieved top honors for teaching, directing, a wide range of performing arts, leadership, entrepreneurship, and mentoring. The Kennedy Center’s Gold Medallion, the LAS Outstanding Early Achievement in Department Leadership Award, Broadway World Des Moines’ Educator of the Decade Award, and the Des Moines Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Catch Des Moines Champion Award are examples of the diversity and depth of his honors.
Dell has enriched the Iowa State campus and communities throughout the nation with his innovative approaches to organizational, team, and individual development. He’s contributed to the LAS Start Something Academy, ISU’s High Impact Learning Practices Task Force, performances around the world, and both local and regional theatre practices and productions, among many others. He’s extended opportunities and outreach to communities throughout Iowa and enriched learning opportunities for ISU students, faculty, and staff by recruiting nationally recognized artists to serve as artists-in-residence at Iowa State.
Dell, who will retain his role as department chair, received his Master’s of fine arts from Western Illinois University. His interim appointment occurs while Associate Dean Monic Behnken pursues her one-year American Council on Education Fellowship.