About the Dean

Patrice Rankine earned his Ph.D. in classical languages and literature from Yale University. He holds Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy degrees in Classical Languages and Literatures from Yale and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College, City University of New York. 

He is an internationally sought after, award-winning teacher, scholar and academic leader. He is author of two books, co-author of The Oxford Handbook of Greek Drama in the Americas, and he continues to conduct research on the Greco-Roman classics and its afterlife. He previously served as Dean for the Arts and Humanities at Hope College in Holland, Mich., where he oversaw nine departments and several interdisciplinary programs, including a new museum and music building, and an art gallery.

Prior to his time at Hope College, he was Associate Head of the School of Languages and Cultures and Director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Classics, both at Purdue University. 

Rankine became Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences in June 2016. Since his arrival, he has led A&S through its first strategic planning process and established structures for building a diverse and inclusive community of learners within the School, and across the University of Richmond. He co-chaired the QEP process that led to the creation of The Richmond Endeavor, a new first-year living-learning experience; created the Arc of Racial Justice, a faculty institute seeking to reimagine equity-based education at Richmond; and has been an advocate for academic programs that lead to tangible student outcomes, such as the University of Richmond’s Integrated Inclusive Science program, and A&S NEXT.

During rare moments when he is not teaching, conducting research, or building academic communities, Rankine enjoys gardening, cooking, and building lifelong friendships with people and dogs (not necessarily in that order).