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New face
Dean candidate Shari Benstock says LAS has opportunity to "put
new face" on the college.
- The third of four candidates for the position of dean of the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences was on campus Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 25-26.
Shari Benstock, professor of English and women's studies at the University
of Miami, spoke to several groups while on campus and held an open forum
and a diversity forum.
"I'm interested in how academic administration works," she said.
"I have a lot of experience in higher education and administration
in particular."
Benstock has been with the University of Miami since 1986. She served as
associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences
(2000-03) and was the founding director of the Women's Studies Program.
From 1996-2000, she chaired the English Department at Miami.
She has also been on the faculty at the University of Tulsa (Oklahoma) and
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Benstock's initial interest in the position stems from her desire to return
to the Midwest. A self-described "Iowa girl," Benstock received
bachelor's and master's degrees from Drake University in Des Moines.
"I'm thrilled and amazed with this institution (Iowa State),"
Benstock said. "This is a fantastic place and there is a lot of very
good work being done here at all levels."
Benstock praised Iowa State and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
in particular.
"It seems obvious to me that this institution is in very good standing,"
she said, "and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the center
of that university.
"It's very important to put a face on the college and tell individuals
not only on campus but throughout the nation and world that here is the
work that we do."
The changing face of higher education concerns Benstock. She said the increased
competition to get the best students and faculty would be a challenge for
the successful dean candidate.
"Whoever comes in will have a big job in putting a face on this college.
What kind of mark do we (LAS) want to make in this environment?" she
said.
Benstock said she would emphasize the strengths of the sciences, humanities
and social sciences and find ways for the various constituencies within
the college to work together. She praised the interdisciplinary work currently
being done within LAS academic departments.
In that regard, Benstock urged continued conversation within departments
but with colleagues across the campus. She said that the arrival of a new
dean and administration in LAS presents an opportunity for the college's
faculty.
"There is a real opportunity here with new leadership in the college,"
Benstock said. "I hope the departments and the college will look at
the things they want to do and get a game plan together."
Around LAS
March 8-21, 2004
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