June 24, 2014
SIU appoints interim deans
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Three interim deans have been appointed to lead colleges at Southern Illinois University Carbondale effective July 1.
Jane Swanson, professor of psychology, will serve as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts during a search for a permanent replacement for Kimberly Kempf-Leonard, who has been appointed dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville.
Jason Greene, Henry J. Rehn professor of finance, will lead the College of Business during a search for a permanent replacement for J. Dennis Cradit, who has accepted a position as dean of the College of Business at San Diego State University.
Laurie Bell, former assistant director of the University Honors Program and director of the Office of Major Scholarship Advisement at SIU, will return to campus to serve as interim dean of University College during a search for a permanent dean. The position has been vacant since January.
“We are pleased to have such highly qualified individuals to lead these key colleges,” said Chancellor Rita Cheng. “Both Dr. Swanson and Dr. Greene are respected within their colleges and will help us ensure that our programs remain on track during the transition.
“Laurie Bell will help us achieve some of our top goals, which include the retention and graduation of students,” she added. “University College is the foundation of these efforts.”
Provost John Nicklow said that Swanson, an SIU faculty member since 1986, is uniquely qualified for the role of interim dean.
“She brings considerable service to the department, the college and the university and comes to the position with the support of her colleagues,” he said. “She is also respected within her profession as a Fellow of the Division of Counseling Psychology in the American Psychological Association.”
Swanson has expertise in career assessment, counseling and measurement. She has received a number of grants and is widely published in her field. She served as chair of SIU’s Department of Psychology from 2005 to 2011 and as founding director of the department’s Career Development and Resource Clinic from 2002 to 2005.
Prior to coming to SIU she held counseling and research positions at Carthage College and the University of Minnesota, where she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College.
Greene is “a clear example of excellence in both teaching and research,” Nicklow said.
“Given his extensive background in the financial services industry, he has strong skills in budgeting and financial management and is a trusted senior member of the faculty,” he said.
Greene held faculty positions at San Jose State University and George State University before coming to SIU in 2009. He interrupted his academic career for private-sector positions, including serving as vice president and senior investment officer for INTECH Investment Management, a global institutional investment management firm.
At SIU, he has served as faculty adviser to the Saluki Student Investment Fund and Graduate Student Investment Fund and has been active in college and campus committees. He was named Outstanding Graduate Teacher of the Year for the College of Business in 2011.
Greene earned a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College and a doctoral degree from Indiana University.
Nicklow said Bell’s knowledge of SIU will be an asset in leading University College, which includes new student programs, student support services, advisement, career services and other initiatives that support undergraduate student success.
“Laurie is a results-oriented change agent who brings to her new role outstanding management and leadership skills, a commitment to undergraduate education and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students,” he said.
Bell was at SIU from 2003 to 2010, when she left to become executive director of major scholarships at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. At IPFW she also directed the Chapman Scholars Program and served as co-leader of the Honors Program Transition Team. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Radford University.
Jane Swanson
Jason Greene
Laurie Bell