Joseph C. Shields

Joseph Shields told a Kansas University audience Monday how he would support Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little’s goals if he were dean of KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

A native of El Dorado who was educated at KU as an undergraduate, Shields is a finalist for the position that opened after then-Dean Joseph Steinmetz left for Ohio State University. Shields said he had experience working in difficult economic times.

“Planning for cuts requires working through the available options in a systematic way and examining the consequences,” said Shields, currently the chairman of Ohio University’s department of physics and astronomy.

Addressing questions from audience members concerned about a divide between the sciences and the humanities, Shields said that the humanities, social sciences and creative arts are a critical part of a college education.

“The dean has to be clear in statements about the value of the humanities,” he said.

He said he would seek out initiatives that would support Gray-Little’s goals of increasing student retention, raising the level of scholarly research and increasing fundraising on campus.

KU has announced two other dean candidates: Susan Carlson, associate provost for faculty advancement and diversity at Iowa State University, and Greg Simpson, KU’s interim liberal arts dean. A fourth finalist is expected to be announced by early next week.