The administrative community at Oakland University has experienced changes in recent months. From the search for a new provost to the placement of an interim dean at the College of Arts and Sciences, there has been a non-stop commotion among faculty and staff.

When a college is in need of a dean, depending on the college, they may choose to hire a search committee or they will make the position known to the public.

Once the candidates have been chosen, they undergo an interview process. From there, the final candidate is introduced to the president of the university and the provost for approval.

 

College of Arts and Sciences

Tamara Jhashi currently serves as the acting dean of the CAS.

Jhashi has been the acting dean since the beginning of the fall semester.

“In terms of experience I will get to learn all about the inner workings of the office and of the college. I am taking in so much information so the experience is invaluable,” Jhashi said.

Jhashi began working at OU  in 1997. Since then, she has served as associate provost of the university, professor of art history and  chair of the Department of Art and Art History.

“(Being dean is) just a different hat you wear at the university,” Jhashi said. “We are (trained) in administration and we are all here for the same reason. I am here to serve Oakland.”

The CAS is hoping to find a permanent dean by this summer.

 

School of Business and Administration

Current dean of the School of Business and Administration, Mohan Tanniru, is  serving in the final year of his second three-year term.

Tanniru said he did not realize his calling for teaching until he was serving as a teacher assistant in graduate school.

“Students loved my teaching and they gave me such great reviews. So I said, ‘If they like my teaching and I like teaching, then why shouldn’t I be a teacher,’” Tanniru said.

For Tanniru, being a dean means he can help students become successful. Tanniru is looking forward to what will come next in his career.

He said trying new positions and projects makes life exciting.

 

School of Education and Human Services

Louis  Gallien Jr. is currently serving  the second year of his first term as dean of the School of Education and Human Services.

Throughout his career, Gallien has served as assistant professor, associate professor, full-time professor, distinguished professor and department chair at colleges around the country.

“When I was a professor, I was centered on my courses, students and department,” Gallien said. “As SEHS dean, I am concerned with everything from the condition of Pawley Hall to a student who was recently in the hospital.”

In comparison with other deans at OU, Gallien is also looking forward to creating advances in SEHS.

“We are embarking on expansion of our autism programs coupled with a future facility that will be sponsored by philanthropy,” Gallien said.

 

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing’s current dean, Kerri Schuiling, has served for one year.

According to Schuiling, she has always known that she wanted to be involved in nursing, women’s health and child birth.

With her background in administration, Schuiling said her practice as a nurse and midwife has prepared her to be a dean.

Being in the new Human Health Building, Schuiling and her faculty have been enjoying their new surroundings.

“The (HHB) is wonderful. Being able to connect with faculty from different health disciplines is great,” Schuiling said.

The current plan Schuiling has in place for the School of Nursing is to finish developing the Ph.D. program in nursing.

 

University Libraries

Adriene Lim, dean of university libraries, has been at OU for a year.

Lim, a second generation Chinese-American, grew up in Detroit and her family lived in the back of their laundry business.

As a young child, her solace was found within the library near her home.

“It has been a dream of mine to work in libraries for a long time. I never thought that college was going to be in my future,” Lim said.

Lim’s goal as dean is to immerse students in the resources of the library as well as adding her own touch to Kresge Library and its faculty.

“I love the leadership aspects. Leaders are here to have change for the positive. I believe in more participation,” Lim said.

Lim hopes that everyone at Kresge, students included, feel heard.

“(Being dean is) a role you take on and it comes with certain authority. In the end it’s about you as a person and what you are bringing to the role to make it special,” Lim said.