Mary Volcansek had tears in her eyes while talking about ending her tenure as dean of the AddRan College of Humanities and Social Sciences.”I’m sorry, I’m just tired today,” Volcansek said. “I tear up when I’m tired.”

At the end of the school year, Volcansek, who has served as the dean for seven years, will step down from her current role to become a full-time professor.

“I’ve grown a lot as dean, but it is definitely more stressful than teaching,” Volcansek said.

Nowell Donovan, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said he did not expect her position to be filled until April, but a nationwide search for her replacement would begin shortly.

However, he added the job has not been posted as available yet because a specific job description for the dean is still being written.

Donovan said a committee in the AddRan College is being organized to develop the job description and the job posting will be listed as soon as possible.

Volcansek, who came to TCU from Florida International University in 2000, said she applied to work at TCU as a professor, but she took the position of dean because it was the only opening available.

In Florida she served as department chair for political science and associate dean of arts and sciences. She also worked on study abroad programs in the U.K. and Italy.

Chancellor Victor Boschini said Volcansek has done a great job of leading the 140 faculty members and 1,723 majors of Addran College.

“She never lost sight of the students or faculty,” Boschini said. “Selfishly, I’m sad to see her step down, but I know it will benefit TCU students to have her teach. Mary is a phenomenal teacher.”

Dan Williams, chair of the English department, said Volcansek has always worked hard to support the Addran College, one of the largest colleges on campus.

“She has worked energetically throughout her term to improve AddRan. She has always been a strong advocate for her faculty and students,” Williams said.

Volcansek teaches one class a semester as dean, but she said she is looking forward to return solely to teaching.

“Teaching is a different kind of energy that I enjoy,” Volcansek said. “Besides, students are much more exciting than long, boring meetings.”

When asked if she wanted to stay at TCU to teach, Volcansek replied with a smile.

“Absolutely. I love this school,” she said.