Feldman named interim dean of SBS
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Robert S. Feldman has been named interim dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences by Provost Charlena Seymour.
Feldman, who has been associate dean of the college since 2006, succeeds Janet Rifkin, who is stepping down as dean after seven years in office. In December, Seymour canceled a national search for the post as part of a package of cost-cutting measures. Feldman will start as dean Sept. 1, said Seymour.
As associate dean, Feldman is involved with supporting faculty teaching and mentoring activities to strengthen classroom and service efforts and the development of programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
“The students, faculty and staff of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are fortunate that Bob Feldman has agreed to serve as interim dean,” said Seymour. “He will provide continuity of leadership and stability as the college moves forward in the year ahead.”
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences,” said Feldman. “I’m looking forward to enhancing and extending the college’s research, teaching, and service capabilities, and, working with our talented faculty, students and staff to continue our upward trajectory even in these challenging times.”
Feldman joined the Psychology Department in 1977 after teaching for three years at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has been a visiting professor at Mount Holyoke College and Wesleyan University and was a Fulbright lecturer and research scholar at Ewha University in Seoul, South Korea in 1977.
His research focuses on self-presentation in adults and children, in terms of nonverbal behavior and how and when people are verbally deceptive. He looks at the ways in which people use lying strategically in their social interactions, and the consequences of their deception. He also studies issues of student retention and ways to promote academic success.
He is the author or co-author of numerous journal articles, papers, book chapters and e-books on a variety of topics related to his research.
Feldman also directs the Power Up for Student Success program for entering first-year students, a post he has held since 2001. He served on the editorial board of University of Massachusetts Press from 1998 to 2001.
In the Psychology Department, Feldman served three terms as director of undergraduate studies and headed the personality and social psychology division (1990-94) and was director of graduate studies from 1984-88.
A fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science, Feldman has also been Hewlett Teaching Fellow and a Senior Online Instruction Fellow on campus. In 1998, he received a College Outstanding Teacher Award from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
May 18, 2009.
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