“Steve has demonstrated an understanding of the rich history of Ithaca College’s beginnings as a music conservatory, the importance of fostering an environment that promotes curricular and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the imperative to adopt a student-first approach, ensuring that Ithaca College is seen as the gold standard for performing arts education and scholarship both now and in the future,” said Stein.
TenEyck joined Ithaca College in what was then the Department of Theatre Arts in 2001, rising to the rank of professor in 2017. He became department chair in 2021, and was named associate dean in 2022 when the department came together with the School of Music to form the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
As dean, TenEyck will have budget and academic oversight of the school’s 15 degree programs, 120 faculty, and 700 students. He says that success in moving forward will involve working with all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategic plan with measurable outcomes that help propel the school’s mission “to equip students to thrive in their professional pursuits and as agents of positive change by cultivating a vibrant and inclusive performing arts community.”
“We need to strengthen our existing programs by investing in our human and physical resources, bolster our offerings to students outside of MTD, align our financial resources with our values, and ensure that we are cultivating a vibrant and inclusive performing arts community,” says TenEyck. “In addition, with campus partners, we need to focus on alumni engagement and philanthropy in deliberate and strategic ways to advance not only MTD but the greater institution.
“We have all the pieces in place,” he adds. “Incredible and talented faculty who are not only experts in their fields but also master teachers; dedicated and extraordinary staff who have created systems to support the work; world-class facilities; and passionate and gifted students.”
TenEyck holds a BA degree in drama from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MFA in lighting design from the University of Washington School of Drama. He taught at both institutions prior to joining Ithaca College.
