Brigham Young University has announced the appointment of Sara Lee Gibb as the new dean of the College of Health and Human Performance.
Gibb replaces Robert Conlee, who served as dean for 10 years and who will return to full-time teaching and research. The appointment is effective Aug. 1.
"Dr. Gibb's background and experience make her an excellent leader, and we are excited to have her guiding the College of Health and Human Performance," said John S. Tanner, BYU academic vice president. "We express our confidence in her abilities and wish her the best in her new role as dean."
"I do believe that this college, because of Dean Conlee and his predecessors, is poised for really great things," said Gibb. "While I know it will be a tremendous amount of work, I am really optimistic about the future."
"We have such an outstanding faculty, and there are so many initiatives in our college that are prominent both nationally and internationally," she said. "We are a very strong contributor to the mission of the university."
A professor of dance who has served as chair of the Dance Department and associate dean of the college, Gibb developed the Dance Teacher Preparation program at BYU, founded the BYU Children's Dance Program and created courses in dance methodology, body therapies and pedagogy as well as an introduction to dance course for university students.
She is president of the National Dance Education Organization and served eight years as a member of the board of directors of the Utah Arts Council, including three years as chair of the board.
A BYU alumnus and a member of the BYU faculty since 1965, Gibb has completed teaching residencies in Japan and Korea and has taught in China, and led a recent BYU Study Abroad Program for dance students to China. She also accompanied the BYU Dancers' Company on two international tours teaching dance in South America and Australia.
