College Directory

Ruthann Benson
Dean
Dean's Office ~ College of Liberal Studies
235 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-8113
rbenson@uwlax.edu

Dr. Ruthann Benson has served as Dean of the College of Liberal Studies since July 1, 2009.  Prior to this, she was Interim Dean for two years and Associate Dean/Director of the School of Arts and Communication for nine years.  As Dean, Dr. Benson provides leadership for programs and departments in the humanities, social sciences, educational studies, multidisciplinary programs and The School of Arts and Communication.  

Dr. Benson is a tenured Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts, where she served for three years as Director of Theatre.  Over the years she has taught courses in acting, directing, playwriting, theatre management, contemporary theatre, theatre appreciation and dramatic literature & theatre arts.  Her directing credits at UW-L include Comedy of Errors, The Elephant Man, Glass Menagerie, Voice of the Praire, Pippin, 1940’s Radio Hour and Little Women.  She has taught in the UW-L Scotland Summer Program, the UW-L Ireland Summer Program and has accompanied the UW-L Orchestra, Concert Choir and Jazz Ensembles on performance tours to Europe to coordinate university relations with exchange universities and sister cities.  She chaired the UW-L Select Committee on Internationalization and administered the CLS London Study Program for many years. 

Dr. Benson holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts/Theatre from Texas Tech University, a M.F.A. in Arts Management from University of Iowa and a B.S. in English and a B.A. in Speech/Theatre (with teacher certification) from Iowa State University. 

Charles Martin-Stanley
Associate Dean
Dean's Office ~ College of Liberal Studies
235 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-8113
cmartin-stanley@uwlax.edu

As Associate Dean, Dr. Charles Martin-Stanley provides leadership in the areas of diversity, assessment and enrollment management.  He is the contact person in the Dean’s Office for the Social Science departments and programs, which include Political Science/Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology/Archaeology, Ethnic & Racial Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.  Dr. Martin-Stanley works closely with Search & Screen Committees and monitors hiring within the College.  He is also the coordinator of the New Faculty Mentoring Program. Dr. Martin-Stanley is a tenured member of the Psychology Department and continues to teach a course on personality theories. He is an active participant in the Teaching for Diversity Faculty Seminar.

Dr. Martin-Stanley holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook with a BA from Amherst College.

Julia Johnson
Associate Dean - Director of School of Arts and Communication
Dean's Office ~ College of Liberal Studies
235 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-8113
jjohnson2@uwlax.edu

BIO - TBA

Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in  Communication and Culture from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and has a MA in Communication from California State University, Northridge with a BA from California State University, Long Beach. 

Nancy Arens
Administrative Specialist/Budget Officer
Dean's Office ~ College of Liberal Studies
235 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-6635
narens@uwlax.edu

Nancy is responsible for CLS financial management, including travel and other grants, the computer replacement program, personnel management, including IAS appointments, and CLS data collection and analysis.  A graduate of WTC, Viterbo University and UW-L, Nancy has over 25 years of business experience and has lived and worked in Asia and Europe.  She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya in 2004-2005.

Carol Beard
Dean Assistant
Dean's Office ~ College of Liberal Studies
235 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-8113
cbeard@uwlax.edu

Carol is the administrative support for Dean Ruthann Benson in the College of Liberal Studies.  Her office duties are often varied, including budget, travel, coordinating conferences and other needs created by the deans.  She thrives interaction with students and faculty.  She believes the College of Liberal Studies is a great place to be and work!

Carol is not a native born "northwoods" person, after relocating from Georgia to Wisconsin after a career in the U.S. Army.  She enjoys the "4" seasons, especially when she "fires-up" the snow blower. As an old Army saying goes, "I am happy to be here, proud to serve."

Sandy Keller
Assistant to the Dean/Certification Officer
School of Arts & Communication & School of Education ~ College of Liberal Studies
275 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-8123
skeller@uwlax.edu

Tim Walls
Academic Services Coordinator
School of Arts & Communication & School of Education ~ College of Liberal Studies
260 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-6634
twalls@uwlax.edu

If you are looking for help with general education, course requirements, transfer information or admission requirements to certain programs, Tim can be of assistance. He works with students in the Art, Communication Studies, Economics, English, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Theatre and first-year pre-education (early adolescence-adolescence and early childhood-adolescence) programs. Tim is a double alum from UW-La Crosse with a B.S. in Mass Communications, and a M.S.E. in College Student Personnel.  He currently lives in West Salem with his wife. Both of his children are out of the house and married.

Troy Richter
Academic Services Coordinator
School of Arts & Communication & School of Education ~ College of Liberal Studies
273 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-5454 (Reception)
(608) 785-8446 (Direct)
trichter@uwlax.edu

Troy works with students, faculty and staff to explain academic policies and procedures.  He works with the Pre-Education Advising Program and provides advising assistance to students.  He is also a liaison with the History, Political Science/Public Administration and Sociology/Archeology departments.  Troy verifies degree completion of students in these departments.  He attended UW-L as an undergraduate student and has worked in several areas on campus including Residence Life, Student Activities and Centers and Upward Bound.

Maripat Coughlin
University Services Associate 2
Academic Services ~ College of Liberal Studies
260 Thomas Morris Hall
(608) 785-5454
mcoughlin@uwlax.edu

Maripat is the support person to the Assistant to the Dean/Certification Officer, and the Academic Service Coordinators.