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Paula Meyer named to coordinate CLAS communication efforts

June 27, 2014
Paula Meyer

Paula Meyer

Christopher McCord, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recently announced several administrative changes in the college, including a new director of communications.

That post will be filled by Paula Meyer, currently a marketing communications coordinator at Indiana State University. Meyer was selected from a pool of more than 100 candidates. She has 13 years of experience in public relations and marketing communications.

McCord also tapped David Ballantine as interim associate dean for undergraduate affairs. He steps into the post vacated by Sue Doederlein, who is retiring after 45 years at NIU.

Ballantine has been the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He received the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, and he has served a number of terms on the College Curriculum Committee.

Additionally, Zhili Xiao, a Board of Trustees professor of physics, has accepted a reappointment as interim associate dean for research and graduate studies. Xiao has stepped into the role vacated by Lesley Rigg during her interim, and now permanent, appointment as vice president for research and innovation partnerships.

Professor Mark Fischer has been selected as chair of the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences following an internal search. Mark has served as assistant chair and director of graduate studies for the department, and has been active in all aspects of department life, including leading the department’s annual field school in Wyoming and South Dakota. He replaces Colin Booth, who retired May 31.

Searches for permanent appointments for both associate dean roles will begin once classes resume in the fall.