Wendy Hensel, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, issued the following announcement and request for input on Dec. 9, 2019 regarding the national search for a permanent Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Her message is below, and feedback about qualities and qualifications for a potential VPR is requested – please share with us at https://provost.gsu.edu/search.
Wendy Hensel, J.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dear University Community,
I am writing to announce the search for Georgia State’s next Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Michael Eriksen, who has served in an interim capacity since April, will return to the faculty of the School of Public Health and will be Senior Adviser to the President upon the start of the new vice president.
President Becker and I are grateful for Dr. Eriksen’s outstanding work in this critical interim role. The university’s research infrastructure, systems and policies are vast, and he has had made significant improvements in all areas during in his short time in office.
Dr. Eriksen has worked to identify strategic opportunities for improvement and growth. He has refocused the office on faculty research success and customer service and strengthened relationships with key internal constituents, including the associate deans for research and the University Senate Research Committee. He also has hired several key staff members to enhance capabilities in research administration, human subjects research oversight, biosafety and technology transfer.
I am also pleased to announce the committee that will lead the university’s national search for the next vice president.
Search committee members include:
- J.D. Li, Director of the Institute for Biomedical Sciences (co-chair)
- Paul Alberto, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development (co-chair)
- Dan Deocampo, Associate Dean of Research, Innovation & Graduate Studies
- Dan Whitaker, Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Affairs
- Angie Snyder, Director of Health Policy and Financing, Research Associate Professor
- Dawn Aycock, Director, Ph.D. Program in Nursing and Associate Professor
- Mary Helen O’Connor, Senior Faculty Associate
- Caroline Lombard, Associate General Counsel
- Rose Sevcik, Chair of the Faculty Senate Research Committee and Regents’ Professor
As part of the process, we are seeking the perspectives of the university community on the qualities and qualifications we should look for in the new vice president, as well as recommendations of candidates for the position. If you would like to share your ideas, please complete a brief survey here: https://provost.gsu.edu/search.
I will share updates about the search, including finalists and their public presentations, through campus broadcast emails, the Provost’s Office website and the Provost’s Office newsletter.
The new vice president for research and economic development will play a critical role as Georgia State continues to expand its reputation for innovative, interdisciplinary research. Thank you for your interest as we work to fill this vital leadership position.
Sincerely,
Wendy Hensel
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs