Associate Deans named in College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Joseph Ward, dean of Utah State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has named three faculty members as associate deans to help him in directing the liberal arts college.

The new associate deans are:

Evelyn Funda, professor of English. She has been named associate dean of graduate studies, as well as director of the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies.
Eric Reither, professor of sociology. He will serve as the associate dean of research.
Matt Sanders, associate professor of communication studies. His title will be associate dean of undergraduate studies.

The associate deans have half-time appointments in the dean’s office. They will also continue their research and teaching duties.

The associate deans replace senior associate dean Dawn Kirby, who accepted another job, and associate dean Patricia Lambert, who is beginning a year-long sabbatical and will return to teaching in fall 2017.

Ward began his duties as CHaSS dean in July. He said he welcomes the experience and counsel of long-time USU faculty members who in their new roles will represent CHaSS in many settings. In addition, they are an important bridge between faculty and administration.

“Associate deans play a crucial role in helping to connect the college faculty to resources all over campus,” he said. Plus, “They do important work mentoring and helping faculty know about opportunities for their research and teaching.”

The new associate deans represent three of the college’s eight departments. Funda is from the Department of English; Reither from Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology; and Sanders from Languages, Philosophy and Communications Studies.

Part of his goal in filling the positions simultaneously was “to find a balance,” said Ward. “And I think we’ve done that.”

The trio begin their new duties Aug. 29.

Writer and contact: Janelle Hyatt, 435-797-0289, Janelle.hyatt@usu.edu