News
April 6, 2011
Hird Named Interim Associate Dean
John A. Hird, chair of the Political Science Department, has been appointed Interim Associate Dean in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for the 2011-2012 academic year. Hird will be responsible for duties usually carried out by Douglas Anderton, associate dean for research, who will be on a well-deserved sabbatical, namely, oversight over the College's research
programs and serving as liaison to the College Executive Committee and the Research Counci. In addition, he will be heavily involved in the potential merger of SBS with HFA, working with faculty, staff, and the upper administration to develop interdisciplinary initiatives and ensure that any merger will be beneficial.
"I am very pleased that John has agreed to accept this important position," says Dean Robert Feldman. "I know we will be well-served by his administrative skills. The Department of Political Science, which includes the Legal Studies program, has over a thousand undergraduate majors. As Chair, he has facilitated the department-wide development of the "Massachusetts Model," which promotes cross-subdisciplinary research and teaching in Political Science and has been recognized by top universities across the country. Prior to being Chair, John helped establish the Center for Public Policy and Administration and was its inaugural director."
