July 19, 2010
Steven David named vice dean for undergraduate education
Steven David, a political science professor who serves as vice dean for centers and programs in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, has been named vice dean for undergraduate education there effective Aug. 1.
In this position, David will emphasize new programs of undergraduate research and develop new mechanisms for increasing faculty-student interaction, enhancing every aspect of the undergraduate experience at the Krieger School, according to Katherine S. Newman, who will assume the James B. Knapp Deanship of the Krieger School on Sept. 1.
“I am delighted that Steven, a highly regarded scholar whose teaching skills and advocacy for students are legendary, has agreed to serve in this role,” Newman said last week in a letter announcing the appointment to Krieger School faculty, staff and students. “[He] is the perfect professor for this position.”
The appointment comes in the wake of the announcement that Paula Burger, dean of undergraduate education and vice provost, will retire at the end of the summer after a 17-year career at Johns Hopkins. Burger’s student life/student affairs and academic responsibilities will be split between Sarah Steinberg, senior associate dean of the Krieger School, who will serve as interim vice provost for student affairs; and David, as vice dean for undergraduate education.
As vice dean, Newman said, David will collaborate with department chairs to ensure that the most accomplished students have the chance to complete honors theses, and he will find and forge new opportunities for students to conduct research. He also will help create a freshman seminar program and administer the Dean’s Teaching Fellowship program, which plays an integral role in providing engaging courses for undergraduates, as well as opportunities for graduate students to improve their teaching skills. In addition, David will translate into action the ideas for undergraduate education that faculty propose during a strategic planning initiative set to launch this fall.
Newman says that this work “will come naturally to Steven,” who has been a faculty member in the Department of Political Science since 1981 and a member of the School of Arts and Sciences’ leadership team since 1998. David previously served as associate dean for academic affairs and as department chair, and has directed the Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program for the last 12 years. An expert in international relations with a focus on security studies and the developing world, David earned his bachelor’s degree from Union College, his master’s from Stanford University and his doctorate from Harvard University.
Noting that David is a “much-beloved and award-winning teacher” who did not want to give up teaching, Newman said that he will continue his classroom work while serving in his new position, which is half-time.