By the end of the summer, students, faculty and staff will see five new faces in some of the most prominent positions at the University.
Meet the new vice president and provost, College dean, police chief, senior vice president and assistant dean of students.
"These positions are keys to success in each of several areas, and we have hired the right people," University President John T. Casteen III said.
Vice president and provost
Casteen appointed Gene D. Block, a biology professor and vice president for research and public service to serve as University vice president and provost, based on recommendations by a search committee.
In his new post, Block will serve as the University's chief academic officer. He will oversee education, research and public service in each school of the University, and his duties will range from recruiting, hiring and retaining faculty to overseeing libraries and museums.
Block's agenda also includes steering the University's development in science and technology, international activities, performing and fine arts and public service activities.
Block, who will take over for Peter W. Low on Sept. 1, said he also strives to ensure that the University is a player on the international academic scene. He supports hiring visiting faculty from across the globe as well as sending professors and students abroad.
Block said he plans to continue his work in the biology department as both a teacher and a researcher.
College dean
After looking for candidates with visionary leadership and outstanding scholarship, a search committee selected History Prof. Edward L. Ayers to succeed Melvyn P. Leffler as College dean. Ayers will take over Aug. 25.
Charged with overseeing and coordinating many aspects related to students and faculty in the College, Ayers ultimately will be responsible for the education of about 80 percent of University students.
Ayers said he wants to improve every aspect of the University by concentrating on the student body.
"That involves offering what only a research university can provide: a broad array of exciting and innovative classes, a chance to engage in cutting-edge research, opportunities for working with people from diverse backgrounds and points of view, and engagement with the local community and the world beyond," he said.
Like Block, Ayers plans to continue both his research and teaching while serving as an administrator.
University police chief
After months of a nationwide search, administrators hired University of Indiana Police Chief Paul E. Norris to head the University police department.
Starting Aug. 1, Norris will oversee the safety of more than 18,400 students, 11,000 faculty and staff members as well as the University Medical Center. The police chief also directs security for athletic events and visits by distinguished speakers.
Search committee members looked for candidates with an understanding of how law enforcement and crime prevention work in cooperation with a University's educational mission.
"Paul's impressive record, leadership style and commitment to excellence fits well with what I consider to be an exceptionally high-quality police department here at the University of Virginia," said Leonard W. Sandridge, University executive vice president and operations officer, who appointed the search committee.
Norris could not be reached for comment.
Senior vice-president
Despite reports that Vice President of Student Affairs William W. Harmon was in contention for a position at Ohio State University, Harmon will stay at the University replacing Ernest Ern as senior vice president.
As part of his new duties, Harmon will serve as a member of the planning team for the new basketball and special events facility.
He also will assist in applying proposals from the University's athletics task force with regard to academic support and student life.
Harmon also will represent the University in various community organizations and will work with other University officials to help attract more minority faculty and students.
Harmon "brings valuable experience with student-life issues and with Division I athletics to his new role," Casteen said in a statement.
Patricia M. Lampkin, associate vice president for student affairs, will serve as interim vice president until a replacement is found.
Harmon could not be reached for comment.
Assistant dean of students
After a formal national search, a committee of students, faculty and administrators chose Ajay Nair as assistant dean of students.
He replaced Glenna Chang as the assistant dean in charge of Asian and Asian-American affairs July 2.
Nair "had the most experience dealing with Asian-American issues, and he had the passion and charisma that stood out more than the other candidates," said Janis Millete, a fourth-year College student and search committee member.
Before coming to Charlottesville, Nair spent five years as an assistant director of admissions and counselor in the multicultural resource office at Pennsylvania State University.
Nair said he plans to continue the programs that Chang developed.
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