Clayton Thyne

201 Woodburn Hall

Clayton Thyne was appointed as the inaugural Linda and Don Brodie Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in 2026. As Dean, he leads West Virginia University's largest and most diverse academic college, with more than 5,000 students and 50 academic majors and minors. 

Thyne, who is known for his people-centered approach to leadership, most recently served as associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences where he supported the strategic planning, curriculum development, and enrollment strategy for the unit’s 21 departments and more than 5,500 students since 2023.

In that role, Thyne led a range of initiatives focused on strengthening academic programs, expanding high-impact learning opportunities and aligning curriculum with student success and workforce needs. He played a key role in the development of several new interdisciplinary majors and worked collaboratively with faculty and departments to modernize curricula, improve advising structures and enhance student engagement across the College.

His previous roles as a department chair, director of graduate studies, professor and researcher provided extensive experience in strengthening academic programs and aligning them with institutional priorities, budget realities, student success goals and research capacity.