James M. Glaser, Dean of Arts and Sciences 2015-2024

James M. Glaser, Professor of Political Science, was appointed Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in 2015. During his tenure, Glaser’s accomplishments included developing and leading the school’s 2015 strategic plan, supporting significant efforts to increase the diversity of the student body and faculty, and fundraising for the Brighter World capital campaign, which raised over $500 million and led to the establishment of more than 30 new professorships. Glaser was instrumental in Tufts’ decision to acquire the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 2016, and the art school now sits within the School of Arts and Sciences. One of his focuses was the school’s climate initiative, which included strategic faculty hires and curriculum enhancements in the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences, supporting a new Climate Science major, and co-locating related units to create a climate-focused hub on campus.

Glaser departed Tufts in Summer 2024 to become the Executive Vice President and Provost at Santa Clara University and was appointed Dean Emeritus by Provost Caroline Genco in recognition of his 33 years of service to Tufts. 

Dean Glaser joined the Department of Political Science as an assistant professor in 1991. He served as Dean of Academic Affairs for Arts and Sciences from 2010 to 2014, having previously held the position of Dean of Undergraduate Education for Arts, Sciences, and Engineering from 2003 to 2010. He was also Chair of the Political Science department from 1999 to 2003.

Glaser’s research focus is on American politics and political behavior. He is the co-author (with Timothy J. Ryan) of Changing Minds, if Not Hearts: Political Remedies to Racial Issues (2013, University of Pennsylvania Press). His previous books, The Hand of the Past in Contemporary Southern Politics (2005, Yale University Press) and Race, Campaign Politics, and the Realignment in the South (1996, Yale University Press), each received the Southern Political Science Association's V.O. Key Prize awarded to the year's best book on southern politics. 

He is the co-author (with Timothy J. Ryan) of Changing Minds, if Not Hearts: Political Remedies to Racial Issues (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013). His previous books, The Hand of the Past in Contemporary Southern Politics (Yale University Press, 2005) and Race, Campaign Politics, and the Realignment in the South (Yale University Press, 1996), each received the Southern Political Science Association’s V.O. Key Prize awarded to the year’s best book on southern politics. Glaser received his BA from Stanford University and his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.