A Trio of Women Scholars Appointed to Dean Positions

Sarah A. Rajala has been appointed to second five-year term as the James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering at Iowa State University. She became dean on April 1, 2013. Previously, Dr. Rajala served as associate dean for research and graduate programs and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University and as a department chair and dean of the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University.

Dr. Rajala earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University and master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Rice University. She is the former president of the American Society for Engineering Education.

Meg Nowak was named dean of students at Framingham State University in Massachusetts. She has been serving as vice president for student affairs at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. Earlier, she was assistant dean for student and academic services at Ithaca College in New York.

Dr. Nowak is a graduate of the University at Buffalo of the State University of New York System. She earned a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Indiana State University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Boston College.

Heather White was appointed dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida. She has been serving in the post on an interim basis for the past six months. Earlier, Dr. White was director of the university’s Career Resource Center.

Dr. White is a graduate of Troy University in Alabama, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in counselor education from Mississippi State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.