CAS CONNECT 2018

C hanges abound among the leadership in Oklahoma State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Jeanette Mendez was named interim dean in June, following the departure of Bret Danilowicz after six years to become provost at Florida Atlantic University. A nationwide search for the new dean is underway, and the goal is to have that person in place by July 2019. “Bret moved the college forward in many positive ways,” Mendez said. “He always thought of the students first. And he often talked about excellence in teaching, and howwe can be outstanding in the classroom and in research at the same time. We shouldn’t talk about teaching and research as two distinct things. We have students more involved in research than ever before, and we’re involving them in a holistic view of academia.” Mendez was promoted to associate dean for research and facilities onMarch 2, after fulfilling that role on an interim basis the previous year. Kristen A. Baum, an integrative biology professor, is now the interim associate dean for research and facilities. Laura Belmonte, associate dean for instruction and personnel, is another newmember of the leadership team. She replaces Bruce Crauder, who is returning to being a full-time professor in the Department of Mathematics after 21 years in the dean’s office. The lone returning associate dean is Thomas Wikle, who has overseen academic programs since 2000. “There is great energy in the office,” Mendez said. “We are all bouncing ideas off each other and learning things we didn’t know and filling those gaps. That energy is going to help us move forward. Tom’s institutional knowledge is very valuable, and he is also throwing out new ideas and talking about new responsibilities he’d like to take on. Everyone has the chance now to re-imagine their roles and howwe can work together in a different way.” ‘Where I’mneededmost’ Mendez jokes that she pursued the interim dean position because she has extensive experience in interim roles. Before becoming head of the Department of Political Science in 2011, Mendez had that job on an interim basis. She was also interim associate dean for research and facilities twice. “I really enjoyed moving up to the dean’s suite, and I embraced the role of associate dean,” Mendez said. “I knew this was a chance to give me a different perspective, and a chance to contribute. I always like to think about where I’m needed most on the bigger team.” Mendez came to OSU in 2005 after earning a combined sciences degree at Santa Clara (California) University, and both a master’s and doctorate in political science at Indiana University. Jeanette Mendez OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SC I ENCES 3