KU provost opening creates uncertainty for dean candidates

Applicants for liberal arts, law positions visit university's campus

The uncertainty over who will fill the No. 2 seat at Kansas University adds an element of risk to the pursuit of a dean’s position, said Robert Frank, the first candidate for the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to visit KU.

“It’s nice to know who your boss is going to be,” Frank said, adding that any career step of this sort involves some risk.

Frank, interim dean of The Graduate School at the University of Cincinnati, was one of two dean candidates visiting with KU faculty, staff, and students Monday.

Gary Simson, law professor and former associate dean for academic affairs at Cornell University, also visited as candidate for dean of the law school.

Frank said he has given thought to the fact that he is pursuing the position of dean of KU’s largest school as the university also searches for a new provost. He said it’s good to know that you are a good match with your future boss and to see that you fit into the institution’s vision, but he’s taken some comfort in hearing that, if hired, he would play a role in the provost’s search process. KU Provost David Shulenburger has announced he will vacate the post in June.

Frank also talked about higher education, its challenges and the future.

He said the university must commit to providing a broad, liberal education. When asked how he would address faculty retention, Frank said perhaps a conversation about keeping KU accessible to students and keeping faculty here would be necessary.

Prior to stepping into his current role, Frank was associate dean for The Graduate School from 2004-05. He was associate vice president and associate university dean for the University of Cincinnati’s Office of Research and Advanced Studies from 1995-2004 and is a psychology professor.

He received his graduate and doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati and received an undergraduate degree in psychology and philosophy from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.

Simson said the key to a great law school is a strong, diverse faculty and student body as well as strong alumni relations.

He described himself as a good listener, sincere, honest, candid, practical, and not easily offended.

Simson has been a professor at Cornell since 1997. He served as associate dean for academic affairs in 2000-04 and was associate dean forfaculty development from 1997 to 2000.

He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University.