Five dean positions at the University of Idaho and an executive officer position are currently filled temporarily, according to an email memo sent to faculty and staff.
These temporary appointments are the result of an open internal search process that relied heavily on faculty, staff and student input, according to Provost and Executive Vice President John Wiencek.
“We are fortunate to have talented individuals to step into these leadership roles and help us maintain continuity and forward momentum,” Wiencek wrote in the email sent out Wednesday. “I am thankful to these individuals for their leadership and dedication to the University of Idaho.”
Wiencek said searches for a Dean of the College of Natural Resources, the library and executive officer of UI Idaho Falls are currently ongoing.
Wiencek said that he and UI President Check Staben have a plan to address these vacancies, keeping in mind that a presidential transition that will occur summer 2019.
Dennis Becker was named the Dean of the College of Natural Resources after a majority recommendation from CNR faculty members. Sean Quinlan was appointed as Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences and Shauna Correy was appointed as Dean of the College of Art and Architecture.
All three appointments were made by Wiencek and Staben and have a defined contract ending June 30, 2020. However, the terms may be extended on a year-by-year basis during the search for permanent deans.
“These appointments were made to provide more certainty in leadership during a time of transition,” Wiencek wrote. “The new president will likely want to have a hand in the selecting the next set of permanent deans.”
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at arg-news@uidaho or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell