Dear Colleagues,

You have recently received several memos informing you of administrative changes within academic affairs that will take effect during the summer months. I would like to summarize below the interim appointments already announced and also update you on a few additional developments.

Office of Graduate Studies and Research
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research has been reorganized into two separate areas of responsibility in order to advance the priorities of our strategic plan. In this new structure, Wendy Boland will take on the role of interim dean of graduate studies and Sarah Irvine Belson will serve as interim vice provost for research.

Office of the Registrar
Michael Giese will become interim university registrar when Doug McKenna leaves his position. We are grateful to Doug for all that he’s done to advance American University’s mission.

School of Communication
Laura DeNardis will assume the role of interim dean of the School of Communication following Jeff Rutenbeck’s departure. You will soon receive an invitation to a farewell event for Jeff, at which we will honor him and celebrate his many contributions to SOC and AU. 

School of Professional and Extended Studies
I recently reappointed Jill Klein, interim dean of the School of Professional and Extended Studies, to a new two-year term. Given the central importance of lifelong learning to the university’s strategic plan, SPExS has a historic opportunity to develop new programs and offerings for a population of learners that will become increasingly important to higher education. Jill will work with me to prepare and solidify the school for its next leader.

We intend to open national searches for all of the interim positions above and will provide further details as plans move forward.

Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
I am pleased to announce that Stephen Silvia will be working with the Office of the Provost on a part-time basis to focus more attention on faculty development efforts. Stephen, who is currently a professor in the School of International Service, will be joining us as an associate vice provost for academic affairs. This first year, he will be collaborating with colleagues across the university to enhance support for recently tenured faculty. Stephen has chaired the Faculty Senate and Committee on Faculty Actions and has served as president of the SIS faculty. He researches comparative labor employment relations and comparative economic policy, with a focus on Germany and the United States, and he holds a PhD in political science from Yale University.

Deputy Provost and Dean of Faculty
We will also be adjusting the title of the position Mary Clark occupies. Henceforth, the position will be called Deputy Provost and Dean of Faculty, which better reflects standard nomenclature, as well as the actual scope of the position and its duties.

I am looking forward to working with all of you to implement the strategic plan and excited about all that we will accomplish together. Please note that my past communications are available for your review on the AU website, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about these upcoming transitions.

All the best,
Dan