The reorganized Howard College of Arts and Sciences leadership team is busy with new projects and processes this fall as the college embarks on the five-year strategic plan unveiled early this year.

Dana Basinger continues in her role as assistant dean of the college, with oversight for advising, recruiting and other student related services. "We are working on a plan to enhance the advising in HCAS through the addition of professional advisors who will work with first and second year students in our college,” Basinger said. “This will allow faculty advisors to focus on the choices within the majors, internships, graduate programs and future plans for their students.”

Mathematics professor Emily Hynds and sociology professor Don Bradley joined the leadership team this fall as associate deans. The pair are dividing responsibilities for key HCAS objectives, especially in the areas of assessment and general education, led by Bradley, and budget transparency and faculty development, led by Hynds.

“This year we will prepare a self-study and complete an Academic Program Review for the General Education: Core program,” Bradley said. That will involve working closely with the directors of Communication Arts, Cultural Perspectives, Biblical Perspectives and Concepts of Health and Fitness. Assessment of those programs complements ongoing efforts to document and improve student learning in every HCAS major. “We made good progress last year in both of these assessment areas and I plan to continue that work,” Bradley said.

Hynds said she is working on transparency in budgeting and tenure and promotion processes, as called for in the college’s new strategic plan. The latter will involve supporting new faculty and department chairs as they learn what is expected of them, and serving as a resource for help as needed. She will then work with all faculty in the same way, learning what they need in terms of development and seeking ways to recognize their work. “The bottom line is, I want to help where folks are struggling and promote when someone does great things,” Hynds said.

Bringing transparency to the college’s budget will take longer, but Hynds said she welcomes this and other challenges. “My great grandfather graduated from Howard College and now I have been part of HCAS for 17 years,” she said. “I have developed a great love and respect for my colleagues and for the history we have on this campus. I am excited to begin serving the College in a new role and look forward to our future together.”