Pennsylvania College of Technology has launched a search to fill three academic-dean's positions by July 2001.
The search has commenced for deans in the schools of Business and Computer Technologies, Industrial and Engineering Technologies and Integrated Studies. Applications are being reviewed, and the search will continue until the positions are filled. The starting date for the new deans will be July 1.
The School of Business and Computer Technologies is the largest academic school at Penn College, with an enrollment of 1,104 students. The school employs 34 faculty members. Dr. Terry A. Girdon − who has served as school dean since 1995, after spending several years on the faculty − has announced his plans to return to the classroom in the fall of 2001.
The School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies is the College's third-largest, with an enrollment of 749 students. It also employs 34 faculty members. Dr. Eric K. Albert, who joined the faculty in 1991, has served as school dean for four years. He, too, plans to return to the faculty next fall.
Enrollment at the School of Integrated Studies is currently 723 students, making it the fourth-largest school at the College. The school employs 62 faculty members. Diana L. Kuhns, assistant dean for the school since 1993, has served as acting dean since the resignation of a former dean in 1999.
"While searching for three deans simultaneously is atypical − actually a first for Penn College − we are fortunate in retaining Deans Albert, Girdon and Kuhns in the different roles they have chosen," said Veronica M. Muzic, vice president for academic affairs and provost.
The three schools each have annual budgets averaging $3.4 million for 2000-01. The dean, assistant dean and department heads comprise the management unit at each of Penn College's eight academic schools. The deans report to the vice president for academic affairs and provost.
Penn College has an enrollment of approximately 5,300 students, with more than 30 percent in bachelor-of-science-degree majors, 60 percent in associate-degree majors and the remainder in certificate programs.