Collegiate Times

Correction: This story has been modified from its original version. — This article has been modified from its originial version. The new associate deans work under Dean Karen DePauw. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.

The quest for a new associate dean at the Virginia Tech Graduate School has come to a close with the selection of two accomplished university veterans.

Janet Rankin, professor in the Department of Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise, and Rosemary Blieszner, professor in the Department of Human Development, have been named the new part-time associate deans.

Blieszner and Rankin have a combined total of 55 years of experience at Virginia Tech.

The positions allow both Rankin and Blieszner to continue their teaching and research, while dividing their time equally between their new positions.

"It is a 50 percent position in the graduate school and a 50 percent position within my department," Rankin said. "I am able to continue teaching and conducting research in my department, but it is simply reduced obligations so I have time to also work in the graduate school half-time."

Bleiszner said that it was an open search process for new associate deans when she applied last March.

"There was a process of screening and interviewing," Bleiszner said. "We found out at the end of the semester, around commencement."

Rankin added that after being here 27 years, she was ready to broaden her involvement with Tech.

"I had years of making various accomplishments within my department, and I liked the idea of having a broader involvement and impact on the larger university with people beyond my department level," Rankin said. "I can still keep my foot within the department because of the 50 percent position, so I think it is just that attraction that you can have a broader impact on the university."

Bleiszner said she applied for the position of associate dean because she hopes to spend her entire career at this university.

"I applied for the position of associate dean because I have been at Virginia Tech for 28 years and I am very loyal to the university," Bleiszner said. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to become involved in a new and very interesting aspect of working here at the university."

One of the main duties that Rankin will have as a new associate dean is working with the graduate teaching assistants in the program.

"I am taking over the graduate teaching assistant workshop," Rankin said. "This is a workshop for all new graduate teaching assistants that will help them in becoming better teachers, and how to handle difficult situations or learning new technology for use in the classroom."

Rankin said that the program was already organized prior to her stepping in, but she will look out for what can be improved upon.

"I am going to see what we might be able to add to make the program better to help students be more successful," Rankin said.

Bleiszner said she would like to add both efficiency and smooth functioning to the graduate school.

"I would like to work on developing some new programs that would benefit the graduate students and also benefit the university as a whole," Bleiszner said. "I am looking forward to getting to know more faculty and graduate students across the university, outside of my own department and college."

The position of associate dean of the graduate school is a three to five year appointment, Rankin said.

"I hope to stay at least three years with the program to see where it eventually leads to," Rankin said. "It is a great opportunity to get to ready to try something new."