Dr. Sam Bivens named Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Shepherd School of Music

Dr. Sam Bivens named Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the
Shepherd School of Music

Sam Bivens (credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones)

The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University is pleased to announce Dr. Sam Bivens as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, effective February 2. Bivens brings more than a decade of conservatory teaching and administrative experience to this key academic role.

As Associate Dean, Bivens will provide strategic leadership for the Shepherd School’s academic programs, curriculum development, academic policies, and assessment and accreditation efforts, working closely with faculty and staff leaders to support student success and advance the school’s academic mission.

“Sam brings a rare combination of deep conservatory experience, intellectual rigor, and a genuinely student-centered approach to academic leadership,” said Matthew Loden, Dean of the Shepherd School of Music. “His collaborative style and thoughtful approach to curriculum, advising, and assessment will be an asset to our community.”

Bivens was previously Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at The Tianjin Juilliard School and spent seven years at the Cleveland Institute of Music as Associate Dean of the Conservatory and a member of the music theory faculty. In those roles, he led initiatives in curriculum reform, faculty governance, accreditation and assessment, academic integrity, and academic advising, while also teaching music theory across multiple levels. In addition, he has served as Assistant Director of Conservatory Admissions at Oberlin College and Conservatory. 

“At its best, academic leadership removes barriers and creates pathways for students and faculty to do their best work,” said Bivens. “I’m excited to join the Shepherd School community and to work collaboratively to strengthen its academic programs while honoring the school’s extraordinary artistic culture.”

A strong advocate for shared governance and data-informed decision-making, Bivens played a key role in developing assessment frameworks at the Cleveland Institute of Music and served as a lead contributor during the institution’s accreditation review with the Higher Learning Commission. He has also chaired institutional task forces addressing long-term academic planning, budget strategy, and facilities renewal.

As a scholar, Bivens specializes in nineteenth-century music, opera, and music theory pedagogy. He earned his Ph.D. in Music Theory from the Eastman School of Music, where his doctoral research focused on form in Wagner’s Die Walküre. He has presented at national and international conferences and remains active in disciplinary service and peer review.

Bivens is also an award-winning teacher, having received multiple honors for excellence in teaching during his graduate studies at Eastman. His approach to academic leadership is shaped by extensive classroom experience and a commitment to supporting students holistically.

Special thanks go to Karim Al-Zand, chair of the search committee, and committee members Bradley Blunt, Brian Connelly, Richie Hawley, Richard Lavenda, Geoffrey Scott, Danielle Ward-Griffin, and Emily Wells.

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Media contact:

Caroline Finane
Director of Publicity
8VA Music Consultancy
NYC • LA • Berlin