Four Women in Academia Announce They Are Stepping Down From Their Posts

Rebecca Chopp, chancellor of the University of Denver, has announced her decision to step down from her position. Since arriving at the university in 2014, she initiated a strategic planning process that involved thousands of community members. Following a thorough consultative process, she introduced the university’s strategic plan, DU Impact 2025, which includes an emphasis on student learning and leading, diversity and inclusion, globalization, cross-discipline and cross industry collaboration, the university’s connection to Denver and the region, and the university’s shared sense of community and values. She will continue to serve the university as an advisor for significant projects she established during her tenure.

Dr. Chopp is a magna cum laude graduate of Kansas Wesleyan University. She holds a master of divinity degree from the St. Paul School of Theology and a Ph.D. in religious studies from the University of Chicago.

Cynda Ann Johnson, retired founding dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, has been conferred the title of dean emerita. She first joined the Virginia Tech community in 2008. During her tenure, she participated in the development of education, clinical, and research initiatives aimed at advancing health care in the region. She is also credited with establishing the first department of interprofessionalism within U.S. medical schools.

Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Stanford University. She holds a medical doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA from the University of Kansas.

Pamela S. Beemer, vice president and chief human resource officer at Northwestern University, has announced she will retire on August 31, 2019. She first joined Northwestern in 2007 as associate vice president. In 2014, she promoted to her current role. During her tenure, she has provided strategic oversight and leadership in all areas of human resources, including talent acquisition, HR business partnering, employee and labor relations, compensation, rewards and recognition, HR operations, reporting and analytics, payroll and tax, learning and organization development, benefits, work/life and family resources, as well as certain integrated services with Northwestern Medicine. In addition, she has co-led the Office of Conflict of Interest and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

Beemer holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and employment relations and a master’s degree in labor relations and human resources both from Michigan State University.

Patricia Weitzel-O’Neill, executive director of the Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College, has announced she will retire on July 31, 2019 after nine years of leading the Center. During her tenure, she co-founded the Two-Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools, which supports the implementation and assessment of dual-language immersion models in Catholic school classrooms throughout the country. She has also overseen the Emmaus Leadership Series, which provides executive leadership development for Catholic school presidents, principals, and heads of school to strengthen them for the demands of today’s education governance.

Dr. Weitzel-O’Neill is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. both in sociology from St. Louis University.