U.S. Military Academy Announces New Academic Dean

By Michelle Eberhart (USMA West Point, Public Affairs)June 16, 2016

Col. Cindy Jebb, the next U.S. Military Academy's Dean of the Academic Board
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- The U.S. Army announced May 26 that Col. Cindy Jebb will be the next United States Military Academy at West Point's Dean of the Academic Board, which makes her the first woman to hold this position in West Point history.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Jebb's appointment as the Dean after President Obama nominated her on April 28.

"I want to congratulate Cindy on her nomination for appointment to brigadier general and assignment as the U.S. Military Academy's Dean of the Academic Board," said Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy. "Upon confirmation, Cindy's stellar academic record and military leadership will be instrumental in the future development of cadets. This is a historic time for our military and I'm excited for West Point to have its first woman to hold this position."

Jebb currently serves as professor and head of the Department of Social Sciences and will replace Brig. Gen. Tim Trainor when he retires in June of 2016.

"I am honored to have been nominated to serve as the Dean of West Point. Should Congress confirm my nomination, I will be privileged to lead a team of professionals who are dedicated to academic excellence in support of our mission to graduate leaders of character," said Jebb. "I would be honored to join Lt. Gen. Caslen's command team and build upon the legacy of Brig. Gen. Trainor and the distinguished group of deans before him."

The academy will farewell Trainor, who has served as dean since 2010, this summer.

"I am extremely happy for the Army, the academy, and most of all for our Cadets to hear about Col. Jebb's nomination," said Trainor. "She has a wealth of experience, and a breadth and depth of perspective on the needs of the Army and on higher education."

According to Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, Jebb will continue to lead the U.S. Military Academy in academic and character development of our Cadets.

"As one of our department heads, she is an integral member of the team, involved in so much of what makes West Point the preeminent leadership institution in the world," said Caslen. "She's revered amongst the faculty and Cadets and we're lucky to have her."

A 1982 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Jebb received a Master of Arts in Political Science and Ph.D. in Political Science, both from Duke University, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Jebb has authored or coauthored three books, conducted human security research in Africa, and completed study projects in Iraq, Djibouti and Afghanistan. Jebb has been head of the Department of Social Sciences since 2013. She is married to her classmate, Joel Jebb, Ph.D., and they have three children.