CCFA Interim Dean interviews for permanent position


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Dr. Shelly Hinck speaks about why she is a good candidate for the Dean position for the College of Communication and Fine Arts here at Central Michigan University, Feb. 26, in the Music Building.

Interim Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts Shelly Hinck interviewed Thursday to take over the job permanently.

She is one of three candidates; Janet Hethorn, director of the Delaware Design Institute at the University of Delaware in 2009, was interviewed Wednesday and Steven Block’s campus forum, originally set for Tuesday, will be rescheduled for March.

“Conflict is not something that I’m afraid of, but I’ve also learned that I have to engage in conflict carefully, constructively and purposefully," Hinck said.

Hinck became the interim dean of CCFA in August 2014, after Salma Ghanem resigned. She was the associate dean of the college from 2010 until 2014. 

Hinck has research experience in civic engagement and service learning. She has also been involved with various community boards, including the Mount Pleasant school board for five years. She worked as the executive director of Central States Communication Association from 2006 through 2009, through which she organized the annual conference, worked with the budget and was responsible for membership services. 

When asked about the next steps for the college, Hinck said the college should focus on collaboration and technology. 

"If we could think carefully about innovative ways in which we could infuse technology with our work and think about that collaboratively, there might be some interesting projects that could form from those conversations," Hinck said. 

Hinck said the college needs a dean that brings the importance of the arts into the conversation that tends to center around STEM fields. 

"We need to continue to talk about the partnership of the arts with STEM and highlight that we're not just another letter," she said. 

When asked about the decline in high school graduates in Michigan, Hinck said the college will need to continue managing the budget with enrollment declines.

Hinck said each department has stepped up in terms of recruitment and they met their projections for fall and spring. She said they need to enhance recruitment, find ways to attract students and consider other sources for funding. 

"I think everything needs to be on the table and we need to think creatively about this," Hinck said.

“I think that the good thing about this kind of budget model is that you’re able to develop programs, develop initiatives, support and sustain projects that directly impact your vision and your strategic plan,” Hethorn said.

Hethorn said they need to look at faculty hires because they have a big impact on recruitment. According to her, ensuring that the college offers market-sensitive programs and strengthening the programs would also increase recruitment. 

One of the biggest concerns Hinck wants to address is its growing technology needs.

She said the college has to be strategic and though she cannot guarantee that all of the changes be made right away, Hinck said she isn't afraid to keep trying. According to her, the college needs a dean that will be an advocate. 

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