Commonwealth University in Pennsylvania has announced the appointment of five interim deans to provide leadership for the university’s colleges. Bloomsburg University, Lockhaven University, and Mansfield University were recently consolidated to form Commonwealth University.
“We are excited to welcome these individuals to their new and continuing roles as deans,” said Michelle Kiec, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Each brings a strong record of academic achievement, innovative leadership, and a deep commitment to both faculty excellence and student achievement. We look forward to the vision, energy and leadership they will bring as they begin the important work ahead.”
Three of the new interim deans are women.
Angela Boswell was named interim dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. She previously served as dean of the Matt Locke Ellis College of Arts and Sciences at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where she taught U.S. history for 25 years. Dr. Boswell is a graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she majored in history and English. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Rice University in Houston.
Heather Schugar was appointed interim dean of the College of Education. Dr. Schugar has been serving as director of the Ed.D. program and is a former faculty senate president at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Her research interests include the role of mobile technologies in reading instruction, with a particular focus on students’ comprehension when reading from these devices. Dr. Schugar holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in curriculum and instruction from the University of Maryland College Park.
Vanessa Kahen is interim dean of the College of Health Sciences. She brings more than 25 years of experience in public higher education to her new role. Previously at West Chester University, she served as interim dean of the Graduate School. She studies risk and protective factors for social and emotional well-being during the transition to college. Dr. Kahen is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.