Appointments of Women to Key Administrative Positions

Becky J. Hoover is the new vice president for talent development and human resources at the University of Akron in Ohio. Dr. Hoover has been at the university since 1993, except for one three-year period where she worked at Purdue University. Most recently, she was interim co-director of human resources.

A graduate of Kent State University, Dr. Hoover earned a law degree at Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in urban studies and public affairs from the University of Akron.

Christa Lee Olson was appointed vice provost for international programs at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Her appointment will take effect on July 25. She has been serving as associate director of international initiatives at the American Council of Education (ACE). Prior to going to the ACE, she was on the faculty at New Jersey City University.

Dr. Olson is a graduate of Washington State University. She holds a Ph.D. in French literature from Stanford University.

Beth Halloran was named vice president for development and alumni relations at Grinnell College in Iowa. The appointment is effective as of July 5. She has been serving as assistant vice president in the Office of University Development at the University of Michigan.

Halloran is a graduate of the now-closed College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minnesota. She holds a master of social work degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

Betsy Mitchell was appointed director of athletics, recreation, and physical education at the California Institute of Technology. When she takes office in July, she will be the first woman to hold the position on a permanent basis. She was the athletics director at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.

Mitchell holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas. She also won three Olympic medals in swimming.

Heidi Julien was named director of the School of Library and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Her appointment is effective on August 16. Currently, she is professor and graduate coordinator at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.

Dr. Julien holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. in library and information science from the University of Western Ontario.