University of Arkansas Seeks New Graduate School Dean, Chief Research Officer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is conducting a national search for a new dean of the Graduate School and International Education to replace Collis Geren, who will retire in June 2010.

The dean of the Graduate School and International Education will report directly to the provost/vice chancellor for academic affairs and serve on the academic deans group at the University of Arkansas. The dean will provide academic, intellectual, administrative and fundraising leadership for the Graduate School. The dean will be responsible for the quality of graduate academic programs as well as the size, diversity and caliber of the graduate student body.

The dean also oversees a coordinated effort to enhance international education at the undergraduate, graduate and faculty levels, which includes study abroad, international recruitment, admissions and support programs for international students and scholars.

Geren also served as vice provost for research. The university is also conducting a search to fill the new and expanded position of vice provost for research and economic development.

This position, essentially the university’s chief research officer, will also report to the provost and serve on the chancellor’s administrative policy council. The vice provost for research and economic development works with the University of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation and the Arkansas Research Technology Park and will oversee the technology licensing office, the office of research support and sponsored programs, research compliance, and the University of Arkansas Press.

The University of Arkansas had $115 million in research grants in the 2008 fiscal year and the new vice provost will be instrumental in achieving the goal of $250 million by the year 2021.

“Dr. Geren did two jobs, and he did an excellent job at both,” said Provost Sharon Gaber. “We realize, however, that it will be very difficult to find one person both qualified and willing to take on all the responsibilities of these positions. We want to find two outstanding people who will focus on and build each of these important areas.”