Hill Named New Dean of Education, Health and Human Services

Hill, currently the dean of the Professional and Graduate Studies Division at Keene State College (N.H.), will assume his new duties beginning July 15.

Dr. Robert Golden, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Plattsburgh State, said Hill's experience at Keene State College should prove very useful in the leadership role in the Division of Education, Health and Human Services. (The Division of Professional Studies will be renamed the Division of Education, Health and Human Services effective July 1.)

"There are many demands being placed on our graduates as teachers, nurses and other professionals in today's society," said Golden. "David Hill has demonstrated his ability to lead these professional programs as they prepare graduates to lead challenging and rewarding lives. His experience and skill will be great assets for Plattsburgh State."

Hill said he was very pleased to be joining Plattsburgh State in such an important role.

"The faculty and staff I met at SUNY Plattsburgh exude an excitement about the changes occurring on campus and are particularly enthusiastic about the future of the programs in the division. They are intent on providing their students the best possible preparation for work in the professions. It will be a pleasure to be part of the division," said Hill.

As dean, Hill will provide supervision for all academic programs in the division and work with approximately 70 faculty members to create a common sense of vision and purpose for the division. He will oversee the division's commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching and learning; assist in implementing and updating the college's Strategic Plan and assessment processes; and lead the faculty in increasing external funding for research and service.

He will also assist in successful external accreditation efforts for all programs within the division that require such accreditation; provide leadership for achieving and sustaining diversity in all aspects of College life; work closely with other academic and administrative areas; and assume significant responsibility for working with appropriate community and regional organizations, as well as with the State University of New York and other state offices.

The Division of Education, Health and Human Services is composed of: Child Family Services; Communication Disorders and Sciences; Counselor Education; Educational Studies and Services (Adolescence/Health Education, Childhood Education, Educational Leadership/CAS, Field Experience/Student Teaching, Literacy Education, and Special Education); Nursing, Food and Nutrition; Social Work; and Sport and Wellness (Academic). 

These programs enroll approximately 1,600 undergraduate and 420 graduate students on an annual basis.  The dean reports to the provost and has significant campus and community responsibilities beyond academic areas.  Most of the programs in the unit have external national accreditation. 

Hill joined the faculty of Keene State College in 1985 as an associate professor. In 1991, he was appointed chair of the Education Department and served in that capacity for seven of the next nine years. He was appointed interim dean of the division in February 2000 and was later named permanent dean in June 2001.

Prior to joining Keene State College, he served as a classroom teacher in Bucks County, Pa.; an instructor and later assistant professor of special education at SUNY Binghamton; and associate professor and Education Honors coordinator at The Ohio State University.

He has served as a consultant to numerous public school systems and special education boards and associations. He coauthored the book, "Focus on Behavior Analysis and Education" (Charles E. Merrill, 1984) and has written a number of articles for selected journals.

Hill has also presented papers at a number of workshops and conferences and obtained several grants for projects related to higher and special education.

He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Allegheny College (Pa.) and a master's degree and a doctorate in special education from Temple University.

----------------------------------------------------------
The search for a new dean for the School of Business and Economics to replace Dr. Siamack Shojai, who left in November 2003, was unsuccessful this spring.

Provost Golden said, "Unfortunately, we were unable to find a candidate to match our specific needs for this position. We will recommence with the search for a dean early in the fall semester with a reconstituted search committee. I want to thank each and everyone of them for their assistance in this process."

Dr. Raymond Guydosh will continue to serve as interim dean until a new search has been successfully completed.

-- 30 --