Linda Denno Appointed Interim Dean of UA South

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Linda Denno Appointed Interim Dean of UA South

To: UA Community

From:

Jeffrey Goldberg
Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Subject: Linda Denno Appointed Interim Dean of UA South

Date: July 24, 2019

As many of you know, Dr. Melody Buckner has decided to step down from her position as Interim Dean of UA South to return full time to her passion for digital and online learning as Associate Vice Provost, Digital Learning Initiatives, and Online. Melody came to UA South in 2016, but had a long previous association with the College in both a support role and as an adjunct faculty. While serving as Interim Dean, she assisted in establishing connections to main campus through her many relationships with colleges, departments and faculty. Her experience completing her graduate degrees online brought a unique understanding to the demands of non-traditional students, and as such she oversaw tremendous growth of UA South programs that served these students. Recognizing that the mission and purpose of UA South had evolved, she also led the effort to rethink about the UA definition of colleges and locations. Those ideas are especially important in that UA Sierra Vista will be a UA branch location and we are renaming UA South to the College of Applied Science and Technology. I know you will join me in thanking Melody for her three years of leadership at UA South and wish her all the best as she transitions into the next phase of her career.

A formal search for a permanent dean is planned and will begin once the transition of UA South to the College of Applied Science and Technology is complete. There is much to think about in forming a new college. During this transition, I have asked Dr. Linda Denno to assume the role of Interim Dean. Linda is currently Department Head for Applied Sciences at UA South. Under her leadership of a strong team, enrollment in Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs has grown from 143 students in six programs to over 1,000 students in eleven programs projected for Fall 2019. Linda has demonstrated the strategic academic vision to lead the transition to the new College of Applied Science and Technology, evidenced by her development of new and innovative BAS programs designed to meet the needs of an evolving workforce. Her commitment to academic excellence in the design and implementation of these programs is demonstrated by the fact that two of her BAS programs have been designated as national Centers of Academic Excellence.

Prior to coming to UA South, Dr. Denno was a tenured faculty member in the Department of Political Science at California State University, where she taught courses in American politics and institutions, political philosophy, constitutional law, and national security studies. She has also taught at the University of California and the State University of New York (SUNY). Linda received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Davis in 1988; her M.A. in Government from the Claremont Graduate University in 1985; and her B.A. in Political Science from California State University in 1982. Dr. Denno has done extensive research and written on a wide variety of topics. She has worked with local state legislators, members of Congress, and other public officials and has served as a Director for several non-profit corporations. She has directed and administered federal and state programs, negotiated federal contracts, and successfully lobbied public officials for increased funding and programmatic authorizations.  

Looking forward to starting the search and having a great start to fall classes.

Jeffrey Goldberg
Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

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