Penn State has opened a search for an Assistant/Associate Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs and Professional Development. In addition to overseeing graduate student affairs, the position will also serve as "the university-wide ombudsperson, ensuring impartial and confidential resolution of student concerns." This broad description makes in unclear whether the position will replace the the Acting University Faculty Ombudsperson (Lisa Gatzke-Kopp, who was named in January) or the Graduate Student Ombuds (three faculty have served as collateral duty Ombuds for grad students since 2021: K.H. Fong, Deb Kerstetter, and Patrick Lee Plaisance). For the last two years, Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences has designated eight faculty as Ombuds for its graduate students and postdocs. Applicants must have a Master's degree and significant experience in higher education administration, with an established track record of serving as a student administrator. Preferred qualifications include a doctoral degree and with Penn State's policies and procedures. The desired qualifications include no mention of Ombuds or conflict management experience. No salary or closing date indicated. (Chronicle Jobs.)
What a mess.
ReplyDeleteWell, that seems clear as mud.
ReplyDelete