Soojung Kim was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of North Dakota. An associate professor of communication, Dr. Kim previously served as chair and graduate program director for the department of communication. As a scholar, Dr. Kim studies how communication can help address complex public health challenges.
Dr. Kim received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and psychology from Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. She received a master of public health degree in population health research and analytics from the University of North Dakota and both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Minnesota.
Kesha James has been appointed dean of online learning and academic affairs data manager at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama. With over three decades of experience in education, Dr. James previously served as director of online learning at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. She also served as an instructional technologist and taught courses in business and computer science.
Dr. James earned her bachelor’s degree in business education from Alabama State University. She holds an education specialist degree, a master’s degree in business education, and a Ph.D. in education from Auburn University in Alabama.
Amanda Morgan was appointed dean of workforce development and professional advancement at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina. She first joined the college in 2023 and has served as the corporate and community engagement director. Earlier, she held roles in career services at ITT Technical Institute and Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Morgan earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in business administration from Clemson University in South Carolina.
Terri Hasseler was named dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. A full professor of English, Dr. Hasseler has served as interim dean of the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Throughout her tenure, she has helped launch a new general education curriculum, advanced women’s initiatives, and led university-wide discussions on pedagogy, innovation, and AI in higher education.
Dr. Hasseler is a graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, where she majored in political science. She holds a master’s degree in British and American literature from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in English with a focus on Victorian literature, post-colonial literature and theory from the University of Washington.
Elizabeth Haller has been selected to serve as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Dr. Haller is a full professor of English and has served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for the past six years. Earlier, she was chair of the English, communication, and global languages department.
Dr. Haller earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Northern Colorado, a master’s degree in English language and literature from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in literature with a specialization in nineteenth-century British literature from Kent State University in Ohio.
Susan Hagness was appointed dean of the Case School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Hagness comes to her new role from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she has been serving as the Phillip D. Reed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Maria Stuchly Professor of Electrical Engineering, and chair of the department of electrical and computer engineering. Her research focuses on microwave interactions with human tissues, including developing techniques to image, detect, and treat cancers.
Dr. Hagness earned her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Gina Craft was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Louisiana Monroe. Dr. Craft has served in several leadership roles at the university, including director of the School of Clinical Sciences and associate dean of the College of Pharmacy. As associate dean, she had oversight of the college’s assessment, administrative affairs, culture, and strategic operations.
Dr. Craft earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and her MBA from the University of Louisiana Monroe. She received her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Florida.
Sharon Beard has been named vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. With nearly three decades of service to the university, Beard served as interim vice president for the past year and has been associate dean of students for the past 19 years. As head of student affairs, she will oversee all services related to students’ well-being, personal development, and overall success.
Beard is a two-time alumna of Pepperdine University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and her master’s degree in dispute resolution.