By Genevieve Mills–
The School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies (SIGS) has named a new dean. Beth Boehm, who has served as interim dean since 2009, is now the first permanent dean of SIGS since it replaced the former graduate school in 2008. Her role as new permanent dean was decided at U of L’s Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 8th.
Before serving as interim dean, Boehm was a graduate advisor for U of L’s English department and taught various English courses. In addition to being dean, she will continue her role of vice provost for graduate affairs. While she was interim dean of SIGS, the school began the “PLAN program” to help students through graduate school. Boehm has plans to create more interdisciplinary doctoral studies and programs and wants to shorten the amount of time it takes for students to get their degrees.
In U of L’s press release, Provost Shirley Willihnganz said, “Beth will bring a great vision for graduate education that she has developed both from her three years as interim dean at SIGS and from many years working as graduate adviser in the English department. I cannot imagine that we could have found anyone as well-suited to the job as Beth is, and I am delighted that she has agreed to serve.”
