Campus Update
(November
13, 2006)
Frank Thompson Named Acting Provost
Officer in Charge Susan Herbst has announced the appointment of Frank J. Thompson as acting provost from January to June of 2007. Thompson is former dean of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.
In his new capacity, Thompson will act as provost with regard to tenure and promotion, the recommendation of faculty hires, and the review of selective investment proposals from schools and colleges, and will also represent the University at ceremonial events on campus and throughout the region.
In making the appointment, Herbst said, "Please join me in welcoming Frank back to a leadership role at the University at Albany, albeit for a limited period. We continue to move the University boldly ahead in all areas - expansion of the faculty, undergraduate education, enrollment management, graduate affairs, research infrastructure, development, facilities, IT, athletics, and community relations, among other areas - so I am thrilled that one of our most talented administrators is willing to serve the University at this extraordinarily exciting moment in our history."
Thompson, a professor of public administration and policy, political science, and public health at UAlbany, is currently on sabbatical at Rutgers University, where he is pursuing his scholarly interests in American politics and policy. He has published extensively on issues of health policy, policy implementation, public personnel policy, and administrative politics.
Thompson, who came to UAlbany in 1988, served as dean of Rockefeller College from 2000 through January 2006. He was dean of the Graduate School of Public Affairs from 1988 to 1998, and was associate provost of Rockefeller College from 1990-1998. From 1998 to 2000, he was interim provost of Rockefeller College.
Under Thompson's leadership, Rockefeller College has been ranked in the top 10 of more than 250 public affairs graduate programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
Thompson is former president of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. He has also served as a consultant to various government agencies, as Executive Director of the National Commission on the State and Local Public Service, and is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
