Honors director finalists to give public presentations
LAWRENCE — The university community is invited to attend public presentations delivered by three finalists for director of the University Honors Program at the University of Kansas.
The finalists will give public presentations the two weeks following spring break. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, as the administrative home of the University Honors Program, is overseeing the search process. The finalists:
Diana Carlin, professor emerita of communication studies, St. Louis University. Carlin recently retired as associate provost for graduate and global education and professor of communication at St. Louis University, where she had worked since 2011. Previously, she was a professor of communication studies at KU and served as dean of the graduate school and international programs. She holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in education from KU and a doctorate in speech communication from the University of Nebraska. Her area of study is political communication with an emphasis on political campaigns and women in politics. For the past three years, she taught an Honors 190 Seminar at KU and is mentoring a University Scholar.
Sarah Crawford-Parker, assistant vice provost and director of the Office of First-Year Experience. Crawford-Parker has previously served as a special assistant to the provost developing projects in Academic Affairs and also served as an associate director of the University Honors Program. She directs KU’s First-Year Seminar program and has taught or co-directed several study abroad programs. She has also taught courses in Western and African art history. Crawford-Parker holds a doctorate in art history from KU.
Anne Dotter, senior academic adviser in the University Honors Program. Since 2011, Dotter has held the position of assistant director of the Office of First-Year Experience and co-curricular programming, associate director of curricular, co-curricular and engaged learning, and senior academic adviser in the University Honors Program. Dotter has taught courses in American studies and the humanities. She has directed study abroad programs in France and Italy. Born and raised in Strasbourg, France, she moved to the U.S. (Michigan, then Kansas) while completing a DEA (post-master's degree) in American civilization at the University of Strasbourg. Dotter holds a doctorate in American studies from KU.
The new director is expected to assume duties overseeing the University Honors Program starting July 1. Bryan Young, who has been director since 2014, will return full-time to his position as associate professor of civil, environmental & architectural engineering.
“The University Honors Program at KU is one of the best in the nation. I am grateful to Bryan Young for his leadership, which has produced growth in enrollment and diversity for the honors program. The next director will inherit a thriving and vibrant program,” said Clarence Lang, interim dean of the College.
Nicole Hodges Persley, search committee chair and associate dean for diversity, equity & inclusion in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, invites KU faculty, staff and students to take part in the public presentation for each candidate and provide feedback.
The presentations will be delivered from 11:15 a.m. to noon at the Brosseau Commons in Nunemaker Center on the following days:
- Thursday, March 21, Sarah Crawford-Parker
- Friday, March 22, Anne Dotter
- Wednesday, March 27, Diana Carlin
More information on the search and finalists can be found online at the College Dean's Office website.
Questions regarding the public presentations may be directed to Amanda Burghart, amccoy@ku.edu or 785-864-6159.
The University Honors Program is one of the oldest and most prestigious public honors programs in the country. Honors faculty and staff are dedicated to providing the feel of a small liberal arts college within the thriving, opportunity-rich atmosphere of a large research university. In its latest edition, A Review of Fifty Public University Honors Programs awarded KU's University Honors Program a 5 out of 5 ranking, making the program one of only 11 honors programs nationwide to receive a perfect score.