[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Capone_John4.jpg” caption=”John Capone is the dean of the Faculty of Science. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]As the heads of their faculties, deans are some of the most instantly recognizable names around campus. Their names often turn up in the media, commenting on an academic issue, explaining a new research stream, or announcing a recently forged research partnership.

Despite their visibility, many people are not quite sure how a dean's day is spent. We visited John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science, to get some insight.

“First of all, you never set out to be a dean,” Capone explained. “As an academic, your main focus is always on teaching and research. As your career progresses however, you start to develop interests and skills that can push you in a more administrative direction. You start looking at the larger issues, and thinking that you can make a difference.”

Capone began his career as an associate professor of biochemistry, and became the department chair. Eventually, he moved to the position of associate dean of research for the Faculty of Health Sciences.

“As an associate dean, I reported to a dean who would ultimately make the big decisions,” he said. “When the deanship for the Faculty of Science opened, I couldn't help but think I could bring something to that position.”

What does a dean actually do is a simple question with a complex answer.

“Universities are complex institutions,” says Capone. “Every faculty has a different culture, and everybody is a boss. It makes managing a big job, but in this environment, you want to foster people's independence and creativity.”

Capone oversees a wide range of disciplines within the Faculty, from biology to astrophysics, and his job entails everything from ensuring intra-faculty harmony, to confronting issues students and the University face.

“A good deal of my time is spent in meetings. Departments, research groups, students, you name it. I take their messages to meetings with the other deans and the university administration.”

“McMaster has more inter-faculty integration than most other universities. Interdisciplinary learning is part of the culture here. While disagreements happen, McMaster does a better job than most at cooperation.”

Another part of his job involves maintaining the Faculty's budget and raising funds for the department to grow its service and research capabilities. He also makes decisions as to where the money goes, which can lead to controversy.

“One of the major issues facing Ontario universities is that we are generally underfunded for what is expected of us. We basically spend all of our time maximizing and making the most of the limited amount of resources we have. This can be challenging, and one can't make everybody happy, but our aim is to provide the best quality education we can.”

Capone's larger goals for the Faculty include a greater integration of education and research, more abundant opportunities for undergraduates, increased graduate enrolment and a stronger international reputation.

What does a dean actually do? The concise answer is most certainly: a whole lot.