Howard named interim dean of students

Roger Howard, former long-time associate dean of students, will assume the duties of interim dean Monday, Jan. 28.

Dean of Students Alicia Fedelina Chávez, who announced plans Jan. 11 to return to the faculty, has been awarded a post-doctoral research fellowship, says Paul Barrows, vice chancellor for student affairs.

The post-doctoral fellowship, which will begin immediately, will allow Chávez the time and resources to get off to a strong start on her research in the areas of diversity, cultural studies and change processes in higher education.

“Although I had initially planned to stay on until later this year, Roger’s return from retirement, along with this tremendous research opportunity, make it an ideal time for me to start my transition back to the faculty,” she says. “Roger brings a lot of wisdom, compassion and dedication to the Dean of Students office.”

After completing the post-doctoral fellowship, Chávez will move full-time to her faculty position as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Administration, where she has plans to teach.

“Even though Alicia brings extensive experience to the table, the task of getting tenure in the School of Education is a formidable one,” Barrows says. “Our hope that she will be very successful as a faculty member and be at the university for many years to come. Roger, with his decades of experience, will be a great asset in this transition period.”

Howard will work 80 percent of full-time until a permanent dean is identified.

“I’m hesitant to leave the joys of retirement, but I’m looking forward to the chance to work with old friends and colleagues,” Howard says. “I feel very strongly about the importance of the work of the Dean of Students office and I’ll work with the staff to help recruit the highest caliber of candidates I can during our search for a new dean.”

Prior to his July 1, 2001 retirement, Howard served for 28 years as associate dean, while also serving for two years as interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs. He came to UW–Madison as a graduate student in 1968.

A search and screen committee will form later this month to begin a national search for a new dean, Barrows says. The position oversees student life and services for the university’s 40,000 students.