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New Leadership Helps Map New Direction at University of Idaho
July 26, 2007
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
New Leadership Helps Map New Direction at University of Idaho
MOSCOW, Idaho – A new age has risen at the University of Idaho. From athletics to history, there is a cultivation of new ideas as new leaders continue to fuel the university’s renaissance. With 13 new administrators in place, the university is ready to embark on another successful year.
“With new minds come new ideas,” said Doug Baker, University of Idaho provost. “The skills and experiences that these new leaders bring – those coming from within our institution and those joining us from around the nation – will ensure excellence in the university’s academic and strategic future.”
National searches brought a half-dozen new faces to campus; other position searches tapped uniquely qualified internal candidates. Among the key hires:
Robb Akey, head coach Vandal Football, December 20, 2006. The former Washington State defensive coordinator began his coaching career in 1988 at his alma mater Weber State. He later became the defensive coordinator at Northern Arizona University. He served Washington State from 1998 to 2006 and was promoted to a defensive coordinator in 2003. Akey will lead the Vandals through his first season this year.
Trudy Anderson, University of Idaho Boise associate vice president and center executive officer, July 1, 2007. In this newly configured position with an emphasis on educational entrepreneurism, Anderson will balance the university’s key focus areas of teaching, learning, scholarly and creative activity with strategic development goals. Anderson will explore ways for the university to intersect with social, economic, science and public policy issues, and initiate innovative programs with community, state, private and university stakeholders. She will report directly to the provost. Anderson is a member of the South Central Idaho Local Operations Committee and the Boise Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors. She has been a part of Idaho education since 1987.
Katherine G. Aiken, dean, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, July 2, 2007. As a history professor, Aiken came to the university in 1984; she's also served as associate dean and interim dean. Aiken previously held leadership positions at Lewis-State Clark College in Lewiston, Idaho, including director of extended learning and continuing education. She is renowned for her expertise in 20th century U.S. history, mining history and baseball history, among other topics.
Lynn Baird, dean, library services, February 26, 2007. Baird has been integrally involved in planning for technology to advance library services. Some of her recent projects include the information commons, electronic reserve system and implementation of Endeavor library systems. She earned a master of library science degree from the University of Oregon and a master of public administration degree from the University of Idaho, where she is currently taking courses in adult education. She received a certificate from Bryn Mawr College and Higher Education Resource Services for completing the Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration.
Bruce Barnes, assistant vice president of Enrollment Management, March 1, 2007. Barnes is charged with enhancing the number and quality of students that the University of Idaho attracts, enrolls, retains and graduates. Barnes previously served as the commanding officer for Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Idaho.
Jeanne Christiansen, vice provost of academic affairs, July 1, 2007. Christiansen is responsible for providing campus-wide administrative leadership to enhance the excellence of undergraduate education; promoting academic success for diverse undergraduate students; and working to create a rich array of engaging educational opportunities. She joined the University of Idaho as a visiting assistant professor in special education in 1985. Over the past two decades, she has served in both academic and administrative positions including chair of the counseling and special education department, assistant and associate dean, and coordinator of special education programs. She also served as interim vice provost for academic affairs, and a four-year appointment as dean for the College of Education.
Mark Hoversten, dean, College of Art and Architecture, July 2, 2007. Hoversten is the first dean of the recently restored college. He comes from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, where he was a professor and coordinator of landscape architecture and planning. Previously, he was manager of land planning for the Howard Hughes Corporation’s Summerlin New Town, a 22,000-acre residential community west of Las Vegas that also houses the famous Tournament Players Club at Summerlin golf course.
Steve Johnson, executive director of Alumni Relations, February 1, 2007. Before taking this position, Johnson led the Idaho Grain Producers Association in Boise. He was also a coach and teacher in Washington. He graduated from the university in 1971. Johnson is a representative to the Council on Agriculture Research Education and Teaching on behalf of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He previously served as a member of the university’s alumni board from 1996 through 2000. “As the alumni director, I am committed to attempting to shake the hand of or make contact with all University of Idaho alums and friends in order to further the success of this wonderful University,” Johnson said recently in a letter to alumni and friends.
Steven Martin, director of the Native American Student Center, July 2, 2007. Before coming to Idaho, Martin served as the Native American student adviser with South Dakota State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and was a Native American Studies instructor at St. Joseph’s Indian School. He also was a Native American student adviser at Dakota State University. Martin is responsible for enhancing opportunities for Native American students of all ages, and will focus on outreach, student retention and program building as director.
Robert W. Smith, associate vice president, University of Idaho’s Center for Higher Education in Idaho Falls, Jan. 29, 2007. Smith has served as interim dean at University of Idaho in Idaho Falls since 2005, and has been a distinguished professor of subsurface science for the University’s biological and agricultural engineering department in Idaho Falls since 2001. As a biogeochemist, Smith's research has focused on U.S. Department of Energy's subsurface science issues working at Hanford, Wash. for the Basalt Waste Isolation Project and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He currently works with the Idaho National Laboratory. Smith also will serve as associate director for research at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES).
Arthur M. Taylor, tribal liaison, August 6, 2007. Taylor will work collaboratively with members of the university community, including the new director of the Native American Student Center, to create effective services for recruiting and retaining Native American students. Bringing experience to the university, Taylor has served Nez Perce Tribal Executive Council for six year in various committees. Taylor will develop culturally sensitive and mutually beneficial protocols for relationships, communication and projects between the University of Idaho and Native American tribes. No stranger to the University of Idaho, in the late 1990s, Taylor taught an anthropology course about the Plateau Indians, and designed and created artwork used to promote the university’s American Indian Studies program.
John C. Tracy, vice president for research designate, February 2007. Tracy was appointed to serve in this position overseeing the university's research. He also will continue to serve as director for the Idaho Water and Energy Resources Research Institute, a title he has held since 2004. Tracy has worked studying soil physics and designed a model of land reclamation. Previously, at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, he served as the director of Watershed Research. Tracy said he hopes to work with the stake holders on a “face to face” basis in order to convey the importance and relevance of university research and will show that the research is “directly beneficial for multiple aspects of the economy.”
Kevin W. Woelfel, director of Lionel Hampton School of Music, July 1, 2007. As a director, Woelfel will be charged with finding artists for the school, among other director duties. At age 19, Woelfel's professional career began with tenure as the third assistant principal trumpet in the Spokane Symphony. Throughout the subsequent years, Woelfel has performed with many orchestras. He also was director of operations for the David G. Monette Corporation, manufacturer of exclusive custom trumpets. Most recently, Woelfel has founded ArtsStart.org to distribute I'mART, an opportunity-analysis tool designed for business-challenged artists.
Scott Wood, interim dean of the College of Science, July 1, 2007. Wood will lead the college until the search for a permanent dean is completed. He has been a professor for the university since 1992, most recently serving the college as associate dean. In 2005, Wood co-organized the 15th annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, the premiere annual conference for geochemists and mineralogists; the conference drew some 1,500 earth scientists from all around the world. Wood is an alumnus of Princeton University.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
Contact: Joni Kirk, University Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.edu
BH-7/26/07-ADMIN
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