CHSBS dean forum concludes Wednesday with finalist Gates
Pamela Gates, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, said her leadership skills make her the best dean candidate for the college.
Gates, one of three finalists, spoke to roughly 25 colleagues during the CHSBS open dean forum Dec. 7 in the Bovee Unversity Center’s Maroon Room.
Other finalists include Robert Pratt, a history professor at the University of Georgia, and Russell Ganim, chairman of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
One of the main points Gates stressed was that CHSBS is an important asset to campus and she wants to increase awareness for what it offers.
“We need to tell our story (and) figure out ways to get the message out,” she said. “We need to tell people why it is important.”
Members of the crowd asked Gates if she could cut through bureaucratic tape and challenge the administration, as well as be an advocate for the college if chosen.
Gates said she would meet that challenge and promote the profile of CHSBS.
“I think there may be a drum beat out there (throughout the campus) but we are the heartbeat,” Gates said. “So let’s figure out how it is that we can tell those stories.”
Gates said there are four important characteristics of the dean position, including leadership, education, identifying the capacity by which programs can be built and addressing initiatives.
“(Y)ou all come to me with initiatives and ideas of programs and things we need to do in this college,” she said.
John Wright, professor of religion and philosophy, chaired Gates’ forum and is part of the dean search committee.
“I think (Gates) really dealt with the issues,” he said. “I think all the forums were good and we had a chance to hear from all the candidates.”
The search committee will have a closed meeting Friday to discuss the merits of the finalists.
President George Ross and Provost Gary Shapiro will make the final decision.
