Six Universities Have Announced the Appointments of Women to Dean Positions

Julie Rich is the new dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She has been serving as the interim dean since 2019.

Dr. Rich holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from Weber State, a master’s degree from the University of Utah, and a Ph.D. in geography from St. John’s College of the University of Oxford in England.

Versie Johnson-Mallard was named dean of the College of Nursing at Kent State University in Ohio. Since 2018, Johnson-Mallard has been the associate dean at the University of Florida College of Nursing. Earlier, she served on the nursing faculty at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Johnson-Mallard received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Florida A&M University. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida.

Dana N. Zimmel has been named permanent dean of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, after having served in the post on an interim basis since December 2019. She is the first woman to serve in the post. Dr. Zimmel, who joined the faculty in 2002, is a professor in the college’s department of large animal clinical sciences.

Dr. Zimmel holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Florida.

Diane Dallis-Comentale was appointed interim dean of Indiana University Libraries. She has been serving as the associate dean for planning and administration at Indiana University Libraries.

Dallis-Comentale earned a master of library science degree and a bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University Bloomington.

Leah Fullman is the new dean of the College of Health Sciences at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. She has served as interim dean for the past year. Dr. Fullman is a licensed speech-language pathologist.

Dr. Fullman earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts at California State University,. She holds a master’s degree in communication disorders and sciences at Southern Illinois University and a doctorate in speech-language pathology at Rocky Mountain University in Alexandria, Virginia.

Kimberly Jacob Arriola, executive associate dean for academic affairs in the Rollins School of Public Health and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences at Emory University, has been appointed dean of the Laney Graduate School. She will assume her new duties on September 1. Dr. Arriola also will join the Office of the Provost leadership team as vice provost for graduate affairs.

Dr. Arriola is a summa cum laude graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta. She holds a master of public health degree from Emory University and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Northeastern University in Boston.