Tony Kolenic

Tony Kolenic joined the College of the Arts as Assistant Dean for Research, Technology and Administrative Affairs in January 2015. He oversees research development and grants, assessment oversight and reporting, policies and procedures, and provides supervision for the college's interdisciplinary centers. 

Prior to coming to UF Kolenic served as Associate Director of the University of Michigan's ArtsEngine, which drives transdisciplinary collaborations among the Arts, Architecture, Engineering and other fields. He was also the Associate Director of the Alliance for the Arts in Research Directors (a2ru) - a partnership of more than 30 leading institutions committed to transforming research universities in order to ensure the greatest possible institutional support and environment for interdisciplinary research, curricula, programming and creative practice between the Arts and other disciplines - of which UF is a founding member. In addition to leading a2ru's national research agenda Kolenic also provided operational and strategic oversight for ArtsEngine's three-year study, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, aiming to identify and map the topography of arts-integrative interdisciplinary efforts across leading research universities. 

Prior to joining ArtsEngine and a2ru Kolenic taught in Michigan State University Center for the Interdisciplinary Studies of Arts and Humanities (CISAH), served as project director for "The Children and Technology Project," a three-year research project funded by the National Science Foundation, and also as the Ph.D. Specialist for Peace and Justice Studies - where he taught numerous courses, mentored undergraduate researchers, managed the program and cultivated community partnerships. 

Kolenic holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Michigan State University. His research and teaching sits at the intersections of Performance Studies, Digital Culture and Cultural Studies. Kolenic has received numerous honors, including recognition for excellence in teaching by the Michigan State University Department of Residential Life and Student Affairs, and as a nominee for the Somer's Award for excellence in teaching. He is a member of the American Studies Association, College Art Association, International Council of Fine Arts Deans, the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association, the a2ru Research Committee and is a curator for XSEAD.