Campus News

Mumpower Named Interim Provost; Videka Assumes Interim VP Research Role

Interim President John R. Ryan has announced the appointment of Jeryl Mumpower to the position of interim provost. Ryan replaces Carlos Santiago, who left at the end of the academic year to accept the position of chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

�Jeryl has the administrative expertise, professional experience, and a strong commitment to the mission and values that form this great University. We are fortunate that as interim provost, he will provide the energetic leadership that will continue to promote and guide the wonderful work and accomplishments of UAlbany,� Ryan said.

�I know you will want to congratulate Jeryl on his assuming this critical new responsibility and that you will support him in his interim stewardship. He is eager to work creatively and closely with each of you to maintain the University at Albany�s progress.

�I am pleased that Jeryl has accepted my offer to serve as Interim Provost and am looking forward to a productive and exciting partnership,� Ryan concluded.

Jeryl Mumpower	Lynn Videka

In addition, Ryan has announced the appointment of Lynn Videka to the position of Interim Vice President for Research, to fill the vacancy left by Mumpower�s new appointment. She assumed her duties on a part-time basis June 1, and will complete transition to the full-time position by July 1.

Videka is a professor of social welfare and known to many throughout the University. She joined the UAlbany faculty in 1981, having earned both a master�s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In the years since, she has served with distinction as a teacher, scholar, and administrator, including service as dean of the School of Social Welfare from 1989 to 1999. She was designated a Collins Fellow in 2002. Videka is familiar with the services and issues that support the institution�s research program. This past year she served as chair of the University Senate�s Council on Research. She is also director of the Center for Human Services Research and principal investigator for sponsored research and demonstration programs that have attracted more than $1.5 million annually in external funds from federal and state government as well as private sources. She has been at the forefront of the strategic effort to advance the University�s community engagement agenda, particularly through stronger links with non-profit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond.

A search for a permanent vice president for research will be launched upon completion of the Presidential Search and following consultation with campus constituencies.