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CONTACTS:

• Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu

VANCOUVER,
Wash. – Karen Schmaling, Ph.D., has accepted the position of vice
chancellor for academic affairs at Washington State University
Vancouver. She will take her post on Aug. 16. Schmaling most recently
served as dean of the College of Health and Human Services at the
University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

A
native of the Pacific Northwest, Schmaling felt immediately at home
when she arrived at �鶹��ý for her first series of interviews.
Schmaling found the opportunity at �鶹��ý to be unique and the
university, people, place and community compelling.

���
am looking forward to working with the excellent faculty, engaged
students and supportive staff at �鶹��ý with great enthusiasm,”
said Schmaling.

Schmaling
said she accepted the position as vice chancellor for academic affairs
for the broad opportunities and promise of �鶹��ý such as rapid
growth and the accomplishments of the faculty. She intends to spend a
portion of her first semester at �鶹��ý listening, learning and
building relationships on and off campus.

Schmaling
invites the campus community and the community at large to engage with
her as she settles into her new role by sharing feedback and helping her
make connections in order to support �鶹��ý’s mission.

The
UNC Charlotte campus newsletter said university leaders praised
Schmaling for her attention to the strategic vision of the institution
and her involvement in related campus initiatives. Under her leadership,
the College of Health and Human Resources experienced significant
enrollment growth; acquired key program accreditations; expanded into
doctoral education; increased research productivity and external funding
support; moved into a new building designed to support the needs of the
college; garnered higher visibility and meaningful engagement in
various communities; and was committed to important values such as
faculty governance, diversity and academic integrity.

“K�������’s
experience and success as a college dean, her willingness to listen and
gather information before making decisions, her ability to make tough
decisions and her strong academic credentials confirmed that she was the
best candidate for this position,” said Hal Dengerink, chancellor at
�鶹��ý. ��� am delighted Karen will be joining the �鶹��ý
team and look forward to her advice and partnership.”

Schmaling
takes the reins from Bruce Romanish, Ed.D., who one year ago announced
his intention to step down as vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Romanish served in that role for the last five years and as associate
dean for �鶹��ý for five years prior to that. Romanish will spend
the next year as an administrative resource to the office of academic
affairs, reactivating his research agenda and preparing to return as a
faculty member in the College of Education in fall of 2011.

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