McClelland
The University of Toledo announced Tuesday a contract extension through the 2010-11 academic year for Dr. Nina McClelland, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.
Additionally, McClelland will drop her interim title, a move highlighting her contributions to the college, UT leaders said.
In a letter to the campus community, Dr. Rosemary Haggett, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, wrote, “Up to this point, Dr. McClelland’s title as interim dean may have given the incorrect perception that the college’s strategic work would be put on hold. In short, we don’t have that luxury.”
Haggett wrote that the world is changing too rapidly for institutions to delay their strategic planning and added, “Dr. McClelland has dramatically advanced these efforts at UT and in removing the interim title we give Dr. McClelland the credit she deserves and remove any questions about our commitment to continued growth and transformation for the College of Arts and Sciences.”
According to Haggett, the 2010-11 academic year would likely be McClelland’s last as dean, and her work to identify the strategic vision for the college would inform the institution when UT begins a search process for a successor.
“In the past 16 months, Dr. McClelland has earned the respect of UT and community leaders, faculty both within the college and throughout the University, students and alumni,” Haggett wrote. “And I have gained a valued colleague whose wisdom and wit serve as a constant reminder of the tremendous opportunity it is to educate students.
“These are difficult economic times for universities across the country, but Dr. McClelland and the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences are ably navigating these challenges. I have great confidence students will continue to seek out UT degrees as they pursue educational and research excellence.”
McClelland, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UT, received her doctoral degree in environmental chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1968. She was appointed interim dean in August 2008.
