A committee has been formed to assist in searching for the next UNMC Graduate Studies dean.
The committee, chaired by Ken Bayles, PhD, UNMC’s vice chancellor for research, will advise the UNMC Office of the Chancellor on potential candidates to fill the position, which historically has been part of the vice chancellor for academic affairs’ role, but will now be a separate position.
“UNMC Graduate Studies has experienced significant growth over the last decade and having a dedicated dean ensures continued attention to not only the needs of the students, but also the faculty and staff who support them,” said H. Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor of UNMC. “Our search committee has an important task in front of them, and I want to thank them in advance for taking on this commitment. Their perspective will be invaluable in identifying the best leader to advance the UNMC Graduate Studies mission and vision.”
Dr. Bayles will lead more than a dozen leaders and stakeholders during the search process, which will start within the University of Nebraska System.
“I look forward to engaging the diverse aspects of our academic mission and identifying the right person for this important leadership position,” Dr. Bayles said. “As we strive to grow our research portfolio at UNMC, this position is vital to the development of innovative strategies that will allow us to compete internationally for a limited pool of students who are the oxygen that fuels our research.”
The campus community may reach out to Dr. Bayles or Anne Bowen Fischer, director of strategic relations and senior associate to the chancellor, with questions, suggestions or feedback on the search for a new graduate studies dean.
Members of the search committee are:
- Chair, Ken Bayles, PhD, vice chancellor for research, UNMC
- Susan Kraft Mann, associate vice chancellor and director of budget & fiscal analysis and financial compliance, UNMC
- Ann Anderson-Berry, MD, PhD, executive director at the Child Health Research Institute
- Don Klepser, PhD, Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy
- Josh Santarpia, PhD, professor, UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, UNMC
- Becky Deegan, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UNMC
- Sarah Gloden Carlson, JD, chief compliance officer and assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, UNMC
- Amy Trenolone, University of Nebraska Foundation
- Gabby Jensen, UNMC Staff Advisory Council
- Debra Hope, University of Nebraska-Lincoln dean of graduate studies
- Ridhi Bhola, Graduate Student Association president
- Connie Ryan, community member
- Nick Wojtynek, PhD, Graduate Studies Alumni Council president
- Anne Bowen Fischer, director of strategic relations and senior associate to the chancellor, UNMC
- Paul Fey, PhD, incoming UNMC Faculty Senate president
Prior to being named UNMC interim chancellor in 2024, Dr. Davies served as both vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies. Since then, the role of graduate studies dean has been filled on an interim basis by Kendra Schmid, PhD, (2024-2025) and, since June 2025, Karen Gould, PhD.