The responsibilities and commitments that come with being a dean are all too familiar for Donna Spindel.
Spindel, who came to Marshall in 1976 as an assistant professor in history, has filled various positions over the years for the university, including serving two terms as chairwoman of the history department and as associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Now, she's serving as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts after Dr. Christina Murphy resigned to take a position as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Colorado.
A search committee of faculty and staff members and students from the COLA and community members is being formed to begin a nationwide search for a permanent dean.
Donald Van Horn, dean of the College of Fine Arts, is the chair of the dean search committee for the COLA. He said the committee will immediately begin the process of advertising and generating applications for the position.
The committee will review the applications around the first of the year and narrow the list down to a group of leading candidates. By February, Van Horn said he believes the committee will be in the position to submit a list of the candidates for approval to Sarah Denman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Spindel said the COLA also has searches going on for other faculty positions within the college.
Although the position is only for an academic year, Spindel said she hopes to support the faculty in their endeavors.
"I certainly don't plan to just run in place for a year," she said. "I see myself as a facilitator, supporter for faculty, and I like to find ways to support faculty and their teaching efforts and their research efforts. That's very important to me."
Kristina Murrill can be contacted at murrill1@marshall.edu.
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