Administrative Changes at DePaul

Dear Colleagues,  

Last week, DePaul's Board of Trustees approved the goals set forth in the 2018 Strategic Plan. That Plan will continue to be developed throughout this summer, with an official launch date set for Friday, September 14, 2012. This new strategic plan affords us an opportunity to embark on new programs and initiatives and, in many areas, set a new course. To that end, the Board discussed a number of personnel changes at the senior-leadership level, which I would like to share with you. 

-- As of July 1 our Provost, Helmut Epp, will step down. Vice President for Alumni Engagement and former President of Mount Mary College, Pat O'Donoghue, will act as interim provost while we conduct a search for the next provost. Trustee Connie Curran is chairing a 15-member committee to identify the nation's best candidates for DePaul's next chief academic officer. She is joined by Trustees Mary Dempsey, Roberto Herencia, Lori Holland and Fr. Mark Pranaitis, four faculty, two staff members, one dean and a representative each from the President's Office and Academic Affairs. A request for proposal is ready to be issued, and the committee is poised to select a search firm. 

-- As of July 1, two key staff members will add vice president to their titles. Jay Braatz will become vice president for Planning and Presidential Administration, while Bob McCormick will become vice president for Information Services. These promotions reflect the value of their contributions to the university over many years. 

-- Our Deputy General Counsel, Kathryn Stieber, became interim vice president for Human Resources in March. We have appointed a search committee to fill the position on a permanent basis. It includes faculty and staff representation and is chaired by Jeff Bethke, the university treasurer. The committee has begun its search, and we hope to fill the position by late summer or early fall. 

-- Senior Vice President for Advancement, Mary Finger, is preparing to replace the vice president for Development position vacated by David Lively in January. Mary expects to have a candidate in the role by the end of the calendar year. 

-- J.D. Bindenagel, our vice president for the Office of Community, Government and International Affairs, will be moving to a new role as special advisor in the Office of the President beginning July 1 for a one-year appointment. J.D. will advise me on a wide variety of important, global issues, especially as we strive to expand our students' global perspectives under our new 2018 Strategic Plan. He will maintain an office in the Driehaus College of Commerce. Peter Coffey, director of Government Affairs, will be promoted to associate vice president and will assume responsibility for the department. 

-- Cynthia Lawson joined the DePaul family on April 2 as vice president for the Office of Public Relations and Communications. Before Joining DePaul, Cindy served in similar senior-leadership positions at several institutions, including the University of North Carolina Wilmington, the University of North Carolina and Texas A & M University. 

Sincerely, Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. President 

Sent out by Mission and Values, via email, May 25, 2012