First Day in the Job

Yesterday was my first day in my new role as Interim Dean of the Leeds School of Business.  I am honored to be entrusted with this position and I am planning to work very hard to meet (or hopefully exceed) the expectations of all constituents.  In the last two weeks, I have been asked a number of questions about this transition period.  Let me share information on some of the most common issues in the minds of those to whom I have spoken. 

Regarding the search for a permanent dean, Provost Sture has appointed Bill Kaempfer, Vice Provost and AVC for Budget & Planning, as chair of the dean's search committee.  The search will start this year and continue during the next academic year if needed.  Organizationally, I am planning to stay with a team of two associate deans Cal Duncan and Rich Wobbekind until the end of this academic year.  I will revisit this decision in the summer of 2010. 

I am committed to be part of key external activities to keep donors, alumni and corporations engaged.  Therefore, about 50 percent of my time will be devoted to external work.  I am planning to hold two meetings (one with the faculty and one with the staff) in the next couple of weeks to discuss short term challenges and initiatives that I believe are of interest to all of us.  I am grateful for the support that I have received from many faculty and staff, which played a crucial role in my decision to accept this great responsibility.