Balkansky appointed to oversee College of Liberal Arts

May 31, 2018

Balkansky appointed to oversee College of Liberal Arts

Andrew K. Balkansky, associate dean for students and curricular affairs in the College of Liberal Arts, is acting in the capacity of the college’s interim dean. The SIU Board of Trustees will consider Balkansky’s nomination for appointment as interim dean at its July 12 meeting at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Balkansky’s current status was effective May 29. 

Balkansky takes over for Meera Komarraju who was approved in April as the university’s interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. 

Komarraju said Balkansky’s work as associate dean will serve him well in his new role. 

“Dr. Balkansky knows the college and its diverse programs, and he is respected by its faculty and staff,” she said. “He is well prepared to take on a new leadership role.”  

Balkansky has been with the College of Liberal Arts since 2003. He has served as associate dean since 2017, and since 2014, has directed the University Studies Program. He became a professor in the Department of Anthropology in 2012. Balkansky earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.