Shope Named Dean of College of VPA

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Dr. Bradley Shope has been named dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Kutztown University. Shope has served as associate dean of the college since 2018, and interim dean since 2021. Shope will begin his new role as permanent dean Dec. 31.

“Over the past year and a half, Dr. Shope has led the college with skill, diplomacy and attention to the needs of students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “His experience at KU and other campuses in teaching, scholarly activities, service and administration made him rise to the top of a very competitive national pool. I am thrilled to be able to continue to collaborate with him in this capacity and welcome his ongoing leadership.”

Since arriving at KU in 2018, Shope has led student-support initiatives in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, including the college's early intervention program. In collaboration with the dean, he has managed the college assessment and accreditation requirements, student recruitment and retention efforts and faculty support programs. Shope has developed exchange programs and articulation agreements with international institutions of higher education and has led a number of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“I am delighted to serve the university as the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA),” Shope said. “It is an honor to be part of a team of faculty, staff and students in the college and I am thrilled to be able to play a role in supporting the VPA family.”

Shope came to KU in 2018 from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he served as associate professor and chair of the Department of Music. He has also taught at St. John's University and the University of North Texas.

Shope holds a bachelor's degree in percussion from Indiana University Bloomington and earned his Doctor of Philosophy in ethnomusicology from Indiana University Bloomington. He has conducted field research on popular music in India and has written two books on the topic: More Than Bollywood; Studies in Indian Popular Music (Oxford University Press, 2014) and American Popular Music in Britain’s Raj (Eastman Studies in Music Series of the University of Rochester Press, 2016).

Kutztown University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts includes a rich community of practicing artists and scholars who are dedicated to helping you develop your creative voice through art and design, music and communication. Long renowned for its ability to attract exceptionally talented students and faculty, the college also offers extraordinary facilities and frequent access to performances and exhibitions by celebrated artists and performers. Our close proximity to New York, Philadelphia and Washington provides an extended artistic environment to inspire our students.

Departments within the college include: Art and Design; Art Education; Cinema, Television and Media Production; Communication Studies; and Music.