Kelly Ryan brings mission-driven focus to new role as executive vice chancellor for academic affairs
According to Kelly Ryan, former dean of the School of Social Sciences, higher education has the power to change the world. This is one of the reasons that she decided to pursue her new role as executive vice chancellor of academic affairs (EVCAA).
Ryan assumed the role of EVCAA on July 1, 2020, and has been hard at work solidifying her vision for academic affairs at IU Southeast.
“This pandemic has reinforced my commitment to this institution and the people here,” said Ryan. “We’re on a difficult road, and I felt that I could help. We have some important issues to handle. I think we need to focus on student success, and that is something that I have some experience in.”
Ryan was selected after a nationwide search to find the top candidate to assume the duties of the chief academic officer. The position became vacant when Uric Dufrene announced his intention to return to the School of Business faculty, where he now teaches undergraduate and graduate students and serves as the IU Southeast Sanders Chair in Business and Entrepreneurship.
Ryan, a professor of history, holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland, a Master of Arts from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University. She has been an IU Southeast faculty member since 2007, and she has published two very well-received books on American history, numerous articles and chapters in books, as well as an impressive list of nationwide research presentations.
Ryan has served as dean of the School of Social Sciences since 2016, and she has also served in various other administrative roles in the school.
“Dr. Ryan brings a wealth of experience to this position. Having worked collaboratively with the other academic deans and directors to improve our educational models, she will hit the ground running. I am very pleased she has been selected for this second-in-command position, and I look forward to working with her,” said IU Southeast Chancellor Ray Wallace.
Ryan plans to bring her mission-driven focus to the Office of Academic Affairs and has several goals she hopes to accomplish in her new role. Her goals include boosting community engagement and service learning courses, strengthening IU Southeast’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, making sure students, faculty and staff are supported and creating more flexible programming for students.
“We really have to pivot the institution towards our actual student body by making sure that we are able to offer courses in a variety of modalities and not just offering online courses,” said Ryan. “We need flexible scheduling and student-centered support systems in place.”
Above all, Ryan aims to maintain IU Southeast’s commitment to high-quality teaching.
“Despite this horrible pandemic environment, we are known for high-quality education, and we can’t let it slip away,” said Ryan. “We have to make sure we continue to work hard to maintain what’s best about our university.”