Y . 54 MINERVA PROJECT NAMES DR. STEPHEN M. KOSSLYN AS FOUNDING DEAN Former Harvard Dean Will Lead the Academics and Curriculum of the University San Francisco, Calif. — March 12, 2013 — The Minerva Project which is redefining a top-tier university experience to prepare global leaders and innovators, today announced that Dr. Stephen M. Kosslyn has been appointed the Founding Dean of the university. Kosslyn joins the Minerva Project from Stanford University, where he has been serving as Director of the Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences, the world's preeminent institution in the field. Prior to Stanford, Kosslyn was John Lindsley Professor of Psychology in Memory of William James and Dean of Social Sciences at Harvard University, having previously been chair of the Department of Psychology at Harvard. As Dean of Social Sciences, he actively participated in efforts to revise and improve the curriculum, drawing on his extensive research in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience to improve teaching and enhance student learning. "With Stephen's breadth of experience at the most respected universities in the world, he will bring to Minerva the best traditions of bricks-and-mortar institutions while at the same time leveraging the latest research-based advancements in teaching and learning," said Ben Nelson, founder and CEO of Minerva Project. "At Minerva, we have an opportunity to start with a blank canvas and to develop the most compelling curriculum from scratch. There is no one more qualified to lead the university's academic efforts." After receiving his Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University, Kosslyn held appointments as Assistant Professor at John Hopkins, and Associate Professor positions at Harvard and Brandeis. In 1983, Kosslyn was appointed a full professor at Harvard, becoming one of the youngest people ever to be granted a full professor position in his department. Kosslyn has been recognized by election to t