PITTSBURGH: Carnegie Mellon University has announced the establishment of a four-person leadership team for the School of Drama. Peter Cooke, current head of the department, will retire on Sept. 30. The new collaborative leadership model will contribute a comprehensive organizational assessment of the school and inform the search for and appointment of new leadership.

The team will comprise Megan Monaghan Rivas, the interim head; Kyle Haden, interim senior associate head; Dick Block, associate head; and Amy Nichols, associate head.

“During his 12 years of impactful and tireless service as head of school, Peter strengthened Drama’s position as one of the premier theatre conservatories in the world,” said dean Dan J. Martin in a statement. “He has positioned the school well to continue to be a leading force in theatre education, scholarship, and practice.”

The four-person team will advance the school’s efforts in working toward a more equitable and just community. This fall, the School of Drama will introduce an Anti-Racism and Racial Justice course for faculty, staff, and students.

“As our society evolves, dismantling old harmful systems and developing new ones grounded in equity and justice, our school is also poised to evolve,” said Rivas in a statement. “We have begun this evolution, and will pursue it with full commitment to creating an environment in which the most vulnerable individuals can, in full freedom and without fear, bring their complete selves to their chosen work.”