Barnard Builds on International Focus by Expanding Dean's Role

In a move that speaks to Barnard’s ongoing interest in international programs, current Dean for Study Abroad Hilary Link will take on a broader role governing such programs in the provost’s office next year.

The change in Link’s job description is only the newest of several administrative changes taking place over the summer, including the arrival of new president Debora Spar.

On July 1, Link will assume the newly created position of assistant provost and dean for international programs. According to Dean of Studies Karen Blank, the position was created “as part of the college’s increasing commitment to things international and global.”

“The provost has had a long-standing interest in increasing the College’s engagement with the broader international educational community, and the creation of my position is a reflection of the College’s commitment to doing so,” Link said.

Link’s new position takes on some responsibilities which have been handled by Associate Provost Flora Davidson , who will return to the faculty and teach political science and urban studies, a program that has seen recent faculty departures.

According to an announcement from Provost Elizabeth Boylan, Link’s “mandate includes the coordination, development and assessment of programs that enhance the global educational and research experiences for Barnard students and faculty.”

“The advising of individual students for study abroad will remain based in the dean of studies’ office, as Dean Link takes over broader institutional responsibility for international and other academic programs,” Boylan added.

Boylan said Link’s appointment is key to advancing Barnard’s international program—an idea in line with Columbia’s becoming a global university. “This new position will mean that she works much more closely with the faculty to advance our ‘internationalization,’” Boylan said. “I am convinced that she has the background and the ambition to make a big difference.”

Aside from the specific international aspect of her position, Link will take on responsibilities associated with the provost’s office. This involves certain roles in recruitment and tenure decisions focusing on the diversity of Barnard’s faculty and curriculum. She will be “representing the provost on international planning efforts; serving as the primary contact for academic departments for searches and line allocation in connection with her role as Secretary to the Faculty Budget and Planning Committee,” according to the announcement.

After working as Barnard’s first-year dean, Link served in the study abroad post for only two years. She often cites her study abroad experience in Italy from Stanford University as the foundation of her interests in undergraduate international programs. Link picked up the study abroad post after a search in 2006, following previous study-abroad dean Janet Alperstein’s notice of departure on July 31.

Barnard is now searching for a dean for study abroad advising for the second time in four years. Blank said Barnard expects to have a new dean in place by September.
Link said she sees her new position as the growth of her current work. “In my new role I will be able to build upon Barnard’s strong study abroad program, which continues to expand and diversify, while integrating the College’s broader international efforts, including increased global programming and partnerships,” Link said.

In addition an additional administrative change, Vivian Taylor, current dean of the sophomore class, will leave her post of 15 years to become associate dean of the college for academic support and enrichment. Taylor joined Barnard as director of higher education opportunity programs and has since been involved with programs that provide academic support to Barnard students and local middle and high school students.

“Her future responsibilities will focus on those areas,” Blank said. “Working with faculty members on curriculum and thinking about mentoring and pedagogies would be more effective for students who are here, less prepared than others, and to encourage success for younger students making an increased commitment to helping students of all ages to be successful.”

Temporarily, Pre-Health Dean Ani Bournoutian and Pre-Law Dean Christina Kuan Tsu will share the sophomore class dean responsibilities. “In the office, perhaps we will stretch ourselves a little bit in order to accommodate students in the class of 2011,” Blank said. Previously, Kuan Tsu had worked part time, and she has increased her commitment to a full-time job.

joy.resmovits@columbiaspectator.com