Inside Iowa State

January 28, 2005

Search for new dean begins

Whiteford will lead search committee for Human Sciences dean

by Diana Pounds

A 15-member committee soon will begin the search for the first dean of the College of Human Sciences.

Two current ISU colleges -- Family and Consumer Sciences and Education -- will be combined into the new College of Human Sciences on July 1. University officials hope that the college's dean will be named by July 1, as well.

Michael Whiteford, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will lead the search committee. The committee will begin its work, Whiteford said, "by seeking input on the qualities and characteristics we should be seeking in the new dean."

February forums

At two forums in early February, members of the university community will be asked for their ideas on the qualities and characteristics of a leader for the new college. After the forums, a position description for the new dean will be completed and applicants sought.

Under an ambitious timeline, the committee hopes to schedule campus interviews for dean finalists in early May.

Whiteford said individuals can begin submitting nominations for the dean position anytime. Nominations should be sent to HSdeansearch@iastate.edu.

Members of the search committee are:

Michael Whiteford, committee chair and dean, Liberal Arts and Sciences; Don Beitz, distinguished professor, animal science; Diane Birt, distinguished professor, food science and human nutrition; Jan Brown, alumna, house mother at Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity; Jon Clausen, graduate student, curriculum and instruction; and Karen Colbert, placement coordinator, human development and family studies.

Also, Carolyn Cutrona, professor, psychology; Tim Derrick, associate professor, health and human performance; Cynthia Needles Fletcher, professor, human development and family studies; Martha Lagomarcino Gleason, alumna, First American Bank, Ames; and Connie Hargrave, associate professor, curriculum and instruction.

And, Sara Kadolph, professor, apparel, educational studies and hospitality management; Mary Linnenbrink, undergraduate student, family and consumer sciences education; Michael Norris, program coordinator, health and human performance; and John Schuh, distinguished professor and chair, educational leadership and policy studies.

A 15-member committee, chaired by LAS dean Michael Whiteford, will begin the search for the first dean of the College of Human Sciences soon. The committee hopes to interview finalists in May.