Faunia Tuma

Faunia serves as Chief of Staff for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, where she leads a dedicated team in supporting Executive Dean Arash Mafi as well as several associate deans, chairs, and directors. In this role, she collaborates closely to facilitate communication and drive strategic initiatives that advance the mission of the College and the broader University of Kansas community.

In addition to her core responsibilities, Faunia actively collaborates with KU’s alumni and endowment associations, fostering strong relationships and engagement with alumni and donors. She also works diligently to build relationships across the university, further enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and institutional cohesion.

Bringing a wealth of experience to her current position, Faunia joined the College Executive Dean’s Office in 2024 following four years as Executive Associate to KU’s Provost. In 2021, she took on dual roles, also serving as the Provost Office Operations Manager. Prior to her tenure at KU, Faunia served as Executive Assistant to the Provost at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Before her career in higher education administration, she held various sales, support, and management positions in real estate, education, and architecture and design.

Faunia received her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice in 2003 and her MBA in 2013 from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

Outside of her professional commitments, Faunia is passionate about running, and enjoys being outdoors and hiking with her three kids.