University Times

The University is close to naming a new vice chancellor for communications and a dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), sources say.

Less far along are the searches for a dean of the School of Education, a University Library System director and a director for the University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR).

• Kathy Humphrey, senior vice chancellor for engagement and chief of staff, told the University Times that four candidates have been interviewed in the search to replace Vice Chancellor for Communications Ken Service.

“We hope to name someone in the next few weeks,” she said. Service, who has been the University’s top spokesman since August 2013, announced last July his plan to retire this summer.

• Michael Boninger, chair of the School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, who is heading the SHRS dean search committee, told the University Times, “We have completed one round of interviews and are finalizing next steps” in hopes of a decision this spring.

SHRS faculty member Anthony Delitto, a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and the school’s associate dean for research, has been serving as interim dean following Clifford E. Brubaker’s retirement last June.

Brubaker plans to continue as a faculty member following a yearlong leave.

• Education dean search committee chair Charles Perfetti, Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and director of the Learning Research and Development Center, told the University Times that the committee has begun to review applications following a preliminary screening by search firm Korn-Ferry.

The next step is for the committee to meet to decide on whom to invite for preliminary interviews.

Alan Lesgold, dean of the School of Education since 2000, announced last summer that he will step down from the post next August.

• University Library System director search committee chair Alberta Sbragia, vice provost for graduate studies, told the University Times that progress is being made in scheduling candidates for an initial round of interviews.

Rush G. Miller, Hillman University Librarian and ULS director, retired at the end of 2014. A search was reactivated in October after being put on hold while potential library collaborations with Carnegie Mellon University were discussed. (See Oct. 29 University Times.)

Fern Brody is serving as interim ULS director.

• A search committee has not yet been formed to find a successor for Richard Schulz, director of the University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR).

Schulz announced last month he plans to step down from that post and from his position on the Council of Deans Sept. 1.

Schulz, a professor of psychiatry, is program director of gerontology and associate director of the University’s Institute on Aging.

—Kimberly K. Barlow and Marty Levine