Kristine M. Bartanen has been named academic vice president and dean of the university at the University of Puget Sound by President Ronald R. Thomas.

Bartanen has been with the university since 1978, when she joined the faculty as an assistant professor of communication and director of the forensics program. She was chair of the Communication and Theatre Arts department from 1986 until 1993. She has been vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Puget Sound since 1999, and served as associate dean of the university from 1995-99.

“I am honored to be held in trust again by this community to take on a new role,” Bartanen said. “I look forward to working with all of my colleagues, faculty and staff, as we continue to enrich the educational opportunities that Puget Sound provides for students and to implement even more fully our goals as a residential liberal arts college.”

Bartanen’s appointment is the result of a national search that drew more than 100 applications from across the country. Four finalists, recommended by a dean’s search advisory committee, were brought to campus for extensive interviews with faculty, students, and staff. Bartanen emerged as the strongest candidate in the process.

Bartanen assumes the duties of dean July 1. She replaces Terry Cooney, who is stepping down from the position he has held since 1997. Cooney joined Puget Sound’s faculty in 1976, and twice served as chair of the history department.

The dean of the university is the primary person responsible for academic affairs, including curriculum and faculty hiring and recruitment. The core includes in-depth freshman seminars, study in the “five approaches to knowing” – fine arts, humanities, mathematics, natural science and social science – and a junior year interdisciplinary seminar.

Bartanen has also been involved in the development of a campus master plan and will take a leadership role in the continued development of the new science facility to better meet the needs of the university’s booming science programs.

Bartanen holds a bachelor’s degree in speech from Pacific University, and a master’s in rhetoric and public address and doctorate in rhetorical studies from the University of Iowa.