In an email addressed to the Creighton community Monday, Provost Edward O’Connor, Ph.D. announced that Bridget Keegan, Ph.D. will be the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Dean Keegan as she leads the College of Arts & Sciences and I ask you to please join me in congratulating her,” O’Connor said in the email.

According to the email, Keegan started teaching in the English Department in 1996 and has held numerous leadership rolls on campus since then, including English Department chair from 2001-2004 and associate dean from 2007-2009.

Keegan has served as the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2013. According to O’Connor, the University used a search committee during that time to compare internal candidates against other deans. O’Connor said that Keegan was the best among all of the candidates.

Faculty members, such as English Department Chair Bob Whipple, have shown support for

the decision.

“I think Dr. Keegan will bring a thoughtful, mission-focused attention to issues facing faculty, staff and students in the college,” Whipple said.

O’Connor said that Keegan will start her new position immediately.

Keegan was not available for comment.