Dear UMBC Community,
I write to share updates on two searches for key university leadership roles: vice president for communications and marketing and provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
First, I am pleased to announce that we are beginning the search for the vice president for communications and marketing. University Communications and Marketing, formerly part of the Office of Institutional Advancement, comprises a team of talented individuals dedicated to advancing our mission by telling the UMBC story and engaging diverse audiences and stakeholders here on campus, among our alumni, families, and friends, and externally in our local and statewide communities and the wider world. As this new division continues to evolve, we aim for it to provide comprehensive strategic leadership for the university in all areas of communications and marketing--to ensure that the world knows UMBC and the difference it makes in the lives of individuals, in the creation of knowledge, and in the advancement of an informed, equitable global community. The vice president will report to me and serve as a member of UMBC's senior leadership team.
I am delighted that UMBC will partner in this search with Isaacson, Miller. My thanks to the following individuals who have agreed to serve on the search committee for this role:
Vice President for Communications and Marketing Search Committee:
- Chair: Kacey Hammel, Chief of Staff to the President
- Dale Bittinger, M.P.P. '16, Assistant Vice Provost, Strategic Undergraduate Engagement, Partnerships, and Pathways
- Helena Dahlen, Executive Administrative Assistant, Division of Information Technology, and Vice President of Nonexempt Staff Senate
- Candace Dodson-Reed '96, Vice President, Government Relations and Community Affairs
- Eleanor Lewis, Communications Manager, Division of Student Affairs
- Cael Mulcahy, Director of Operations, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and Vice President of Professional Staff Senate
- Stanyell Odom, Director of Alumni Engagement, Office of Institutional Advancement
- Christopher Steele, Vice Provost, Division of Professional Studies
We will develop a position profile and begin recruiting very soon. We anticipate moving expeditiously to fill the role. Angela Paik (formerly Angela Paik Schaeffer) continues to serve in the role on an interim basis, helping to advise me and support the work of our communications and marketing team.
Regarding the search for a permanent provost: As you will recall, we are extending that search in partnership with Isaacson, Miller. The search committee, whose members are listed here, continues to serve, chaired now by Linda Dusman, professor of music. Anupam Joshi stepped down as committee chair when he took on his new role as acting dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology. I would like to thank Anupam for his leadership and service on the search committee.
We expect to have a permanent provost by next summer. Interim Provost David Dauwalder will serve at UMBC through this academic year. My thanks to our interim leaders, Angela and David, and to all who will take part in these important search processes.
Sincerely,
President Valerie Sheares Ashby