The university has named Carol Lancaster interim dean of the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) to take the helm after Dean Robert Gallucci steps down to become president of the MacArthur Foundation, starting July 1.

Lancaster's career has been a mix of public service and education. She held a 13-year career in government, including serving as deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa and three years as deputy administrator for the United States Agency for International Development. After joining the SFS faculty in 1981, Lancaster first served in the African studies program, which she later directed. She also directed the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program for four years. She currently heads the Mortara Center for International Studies and is a professor of politics with appointments in SFS and the government department.

As interim dean, the 1964 SFS graduate envisions her role as one of moving SFS initiatives forward, but not making major changes to programs. She plans to meet with SFS faculty members to hear what's on their minds.

"Where there are issues that need to be addressed, I'll work on those," Lancaster said.

Founded in 1919, SFS is the academic home to 1,400 undergraduates and 500 graduate students. There are 18 centers, institutes and programs within the school that focus on regional, ethnic and cultural studies.

Provost James O'Donnell announced that Angela Stent would lead the search committee for a permanent dean. In the coming weeks, committee members will be selected and a search firm chosen.

"The search will take place over the coming academic year," said Stent, professor of government and foreign service and director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies. "Ideally, we'd like someone in place by the fall 2010 semester."

Source: Blue & Gray (April 23, 2009)