Dean Howard Gillman Appoints First Vice Dean of Students for USC College
Dean Howard Gillman announced today that he has appointed Donal Manahan, professor of biological sciences, as the first vice dean of students in USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences.
In his new role, Manahan will oversee, expand and ensure the quality of student activities in USC College, including student advisement, the new USC College-Keck School of Medicine Academic and Advising Program, College Freshman Seminars (First-Year Investigations), supplemental instruction, College admission, and The College Commons (the College’s signature speaker series program).
“Offering outstanding academic programs is essential to attract talented and bright students,” said Dean Gillman. “We also need to provide a first-rate support structure, devise programs that underscore the fundamental importance of Letters, Arts & Sciences for our students’ ongoing personal and professional development, and create greater opportunities for them to participate in research, community engagement, global studies, and internships.”
Manahan will work closely with Vice Dean Steve Lamy, who will continue to oversee academic programs, including College majors and minors, general education, Thematic Option, the Writing Program, the Language Center and American Language Institute (ALI), interdisciplinary programs and honors programs, Ph.D. programs, and advanced and professional programs. They will also work closely to coordinate funding for the College’s hallmark student research programs, SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Research) and SURF (Student Undergraduate Research Fund).
“I have taught in USC College for more than 25 years. I love teaching and collaborating with our amazing students,” Manahan said. “I look forward to expanding the wide array of opportunities that we currently offer in the College to dramatically enhance the educational and co-curricular experiences of our students. I am very excited and honored to be the first vice dean of students in USC College.”
Manahan previously served as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, dean of research in the College, and director of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. In 1994, Manahan founded the National Science Foundation-sponsored International Graduate Teaching Course in Antarctic Marine Biology, the first of its kind, and has served as director of the program for the last 16 years.
Read more articles from USC Dornsife Magazine’s Spring/Summer 2011 issue