Schaub appointed acting dean of Brooks College

Provost Maria C. Cimitile has appointed Mark Schaub, chief international officer, as acting dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, effective February 25.

Anne Hiskes, Brooks College dean, is stepping down as dean at the end of the academic year and, prior to that date, has taken a personal leave of absence.

Schaub was named executive director of the Padnos International Center in 2004, after a reorganization of university colleges created the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. He started working at Grand Valley in 1999 as a professor of writing. Prior to joining Grand Valley, he served as director of the writing program at the American University in Cairo.

Cimitile credited Hiskes for her leadership skills as dean, guiding Brooks College to national recognition for its Sustainable Agricultural Project and Padnos/Sarosik Civil Discourse initiative. 

"Under Anne's leadership, the college enhanced its reputation for innovative programs, inclusion and diversity, promoting global awareness and teaching excellence," Cimitile said.

Cimitile said Schaub works across the university in support of education abroad programs, international student and scholar services, faculty Fulbright coordination, overseas partnerships and other global learning initiatives. He has served on multiple university-wide committees and task forces and has a demonstrated commitment to shared governance and student success, she added.

"He is an excellent colleague and I appreciate him stepping in to this role," she said.