Michael Wasylenko announces plans to conclude term as senior associate dean
After 13 years of
dedicated service as senior associate dean, Dr. Michael J. Wasylenko on Friday announced
his intention to conclude his administrative service in the Dean’s Office of
the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Wasylenko will step down
from this role effective December 31, 2016, and will continue to teach and
conduct research in his roles as professor of economics and senior research associate
of the Center for Policy Research. He will also continue to serve the dean as a
strategic adviser.
“Mike has been a remarkably
dedicated member of the Maxwell community for more than 30 years,” says Dean
David M. Van Slyke. “Few, if any, know
more about our School or have taught, assisted and supported more of our
students, alumni, faculty and staff. Generations of faculty and students have and
will continue to benefit from his tireless work and citizenship.”
Wasylenko’s deep
connection to Maxwell began as a student, when he earned his master’s and then
his PhD from the School in 1975. He returned as associate professor in 1984 and
over the next three decades went on to assume increasing levels of
responsibility: director of graduate studies, professor of economics, associate
director of Metropolitan Studies Program, chair of the Economics Department, associate
dean, senior associate dean and interim dean of the Maxwell School.
“Mike has given his all
to Maxwell for more than three decades,” adds University Professor and Dean
Emeritus John Palmer, “including during his six years of extraordinary service
to me as an associate dean. No one has worked harder, or with more
competence, to advance the interests of the School and University.”
In 2011, in recognition
of Wasylenko’s dedication and service and in particular to honor his work as
interim dean during the 2010-11 year, members of the School’s Advisory Board,
faculty, and other supporters contributed more than $250,000 to endow the
Michael J. Wasylenko Endowed Faculty Fund that supports faculty research across
all departments and programs in the School.
“It has been a rewarding
experience to help lead the Maxwell School under the leadership of the last
four deans,” says Wasylenko. “I am proud to have graduated from the School and
to have worked here with so many generous and talented people.”
New Administrative Leadership
Roles Created, Associate Deans Named
Upon reviewing the many responsibilities within the
portfolio of the senior associate dean, Dean Van Slyke announced plans to
establish two administrative positions in the Maxwell School to lead these
activities going forward.
After wide consultation with faculty and staff, Dean Van
Slyke has appointed Carol Faulkner, professor of history, Maxwell Tenth Decade
Scholar, former chair of the History Department, and interim chair of Maxwell’s
Citizenship and Civic Engagement Program, to serve as associate dean for academic
affairs and Andrew S. London, professor of sociology, Maxwell Tenth Decade
Scholar, director of graduate studies and former chair of the Sociology
Department, to serve as associate dean for finance and administration.
As associate dean for academic
affairs, Faulker will have lead responsibility for graduate and undergraduate
student affairs, academic integrity (graduate only), graduate and undergraduate
curriculum proposals, coordination of joint and interdisciplinary programs,
assessment of academic programs, and the School’s academic strategic plan as
well as its components in individual units.
As associate dean for finance and administration, London
will oversee the School’s financial and budget operations, inclusive of
graduate student funding, human resources related to School and department
staffing levels, staff personnel matters, facilities and space administration,
information and computing technology, career services, and research.
Faulkner and London will assume these roles on January 1,
2017, and will serve three-year terms.
They will also continue to teach during this time.
Van Slyke noted, “As I looked to our current faculty
leadership and spoke with dozens of members of the faculty and staff, it was
clear to me that Carol and Andrew have the qualities that our team needs at
this time. I am pleased they are
enthusiastic to serve in these very important positions for our School. Their wide views across our School and their deep
relationships with our faculty, staff and students will be a great benefit to
our work going forward.”
09/23/16