The Jackson School of Geosciences will have a new dean effective next year, executive vice president and provost Maurie McInnis announced in an email Monday. 

Until officially starting her position Feb. 1, Claudia Mora will serve an interim term as dean-designate, according to McInnis’ email. Mora is the deputy chemistry division leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory and has previously worked as the head of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, according to the laboratory website. 

“Her record as a leader uniquely stands out,” McInnis said in the email. “Such breadth of experience adds great value to the talent, resources and opportunity within the Jackson School of Geosciences.”

Mora has received awards for her research and teaching, according to the laboratory website. Mora expressed in a UT News article that she was excited and honored to lead the Jackson School. 

“I have long admired the breadth of research, innovation and education at the Jackson School of Geosciences, and joining this community is a tremendous opportunity,” Mora said in the article.

According to UT News, Mora received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico, a masters from Rice University and her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, all in geology. 

Sharon Mosher, the previous Jackson School of Geosciences dean, announced she would be stepping down after serving as dean for a decade to return to teaching and her research, according to the Jackson School’s website.

“I have accomplished all I set out to do when I agreed to take on the role of dean,” Mosher said, according to the website. “It is now time for me to concentrate on new challenges.”

Mosher helped develop a ten-year strategic plan for the Jackson School that outlined future funding plans, research and education goals, according to the Jackson School’s website.

Anton Caputo, the school’s director of communications, said the school has been looking for a new dean since January.

In an email sent to the Jackson School on Monday, Mosher said she will continue serving as dean until Mora begins next year.

“As I prepare to step down as dean and rejoin the faculty, I do so knowing that the school is in a strong position with solid finances and a stellar reputation,” Mosher said in the email. “I am extremely pleased to have such a proven leader taking over the Jackson School.”