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News Release
BOISE STATE NEWS RELEASE/January 22, 2008
Boise State Names Melissa Lavitt Dean of the College of
Social Sciences and Public Affairs
Boise State University has named Melissa R. Lavitt as dean of the College of
Social Sciences and Public Affairs. She formally takes over as dean on July
1, but will periodically visit campus to work with the administration, the
college and external constituencies prior to her official appointment date.
Lavitt will replace Shelton Woods who is currently serving as the interim
dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs.
Lavitt has served as the associate dean and director of the master’s of
social work program at Eastern Washington University since 2004 and most
recently as the interim vice provost for graduate education, research, and
academic planning and evaluation. Prior to these appointments, she served
for five years as chair of the Department of Social Work at Arizona State
University West. She earned her Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1990.
Sona Andrews, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Lavitt
is a good choice for the college. “Dr. Lavitt has the experience, energy and
skills to provide effective leadership for the college and for where Boise
State University is heading,” she said.
While at Eastern Washington University, Lavitt provided leadership for the
implementation of a collaborative JD/MSW program with Gonzaga University,
the redesign of the social work curriculum and the development of a
sophisticated community engagement initiative. At Arizona State University
West, she led her department through a successful re-accreditation,
established the MSW program, and coordinated a collaborative program with
Northern Arizona University for outreach to Native American and Hispanic
students.
The College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs is one of eight colleges
on the Boise State campus. SSPA is positioned to fulfill the institution’s
statewide mission in public policy, public administration, urban studies,
community and regional planning and social work. The college is made up of
10 departments: Anthropology, Communication, Criminal Justice, History,
Military Science, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy and
Administration, Social Work and Sociology.
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Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208)
426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu
Boise State University is emerging as a metropolitan research university
of distinction. This transformation is being powered by the university’s
first comprehensive campaign to support students, faculty, strategic
initiatives, research and infrastructure. That’s why the campaign to raise
$175 million in private support is called Destination Distinction.
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Last reviewed on
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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