Turnover and change in academia is normal, but that doesn’t make losing a Spartan leader after 15 years of excellence any easier.
College of Communication Arts & Sciences Dean Pamela Whitten will leave MSU to take a position as senior vice president of academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia. She officially will become a Bulldog on Feb. 1.
“I have such mixed emotions,” Whitten said. “I’m thrilled and honored to go to Georgia, but it’s been a wonderful experience at MSU.”
Whitten began her career at MSU as an assistant professor in 1998. Although she has worked her way to the top of the college, she still teaches classes in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies & Media.
She said the faculty members she has worked with are top notch, and the students are inspiring, smart and creative. The university leadership also has helped foster her success at MSU.
Jim Dearing, professor and chair of the Department of Communication, said he doesn’t know if MSU can find anyone as good as Whitten.
“She’s probably done more than any prior dean in the college,” he said.
Whitten has taken a hands-on approach and is behind programs such as the Media Sandbox and making WKAR Radio part of the college, Dearing said. Her involvement has furthered collaboration between departments and made the college more relevant in the university.
“There will be a sense of loss, but not a discontinuity in the college,” he said.
Appointing a temporary dean will be the next step in the process for the Provost’s Office.
Dearing said there are many qualified choices in the college to take the reins.
But Acting Provost June Youatt said it’s too early to say who could be selected.
The appointment and beginning of the search for a new dean likely will happen shortly after the start of next year.
“We hate to see her go,” Youatt said. “It’s a loss to MSU, but we know that they will appreciate her in Georgia as we have appreciated her here. … We’re happy for her even though it will be very difficult to replace her.”
The departure of Whitten leaves another hole with the university already searching for replacements at other key dean positions.
On top of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences, MSU currently is looking to fill the vacant engineering and international studies and programs dean positions.
MSU also is looking for a new provost, a position that sets the tone for the university’s academic progress and overall vision
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