Sunday, August 14, 2011

...the VP at Miami University

Fil-Am educator bags key Miami University post

 
A Filipino-American educator who puts a premium on listening before making decisions bagged a key post at the Miami University in Ohio this year.

According to an Asian Journal report, Conrado Gempesaw took over last May the position as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Miami University, which was facing budget cuts and financial problems.

Gempesaw is considered one of the highest-ranking members of academia who is of Filipino descent in the US, the report said.

During his pitch for provost last year, he spoke for an hour about his plan for the 200-year-old university, including cost-cutting measures, increasing student diversity, online education, and need for more programs for foreign students.

“If I was your provost for every discussion we have about cutting programs, there would have to be a discussion about new programs… I’ll make a commitment to listen to all parties involved," the report quoted Gempesaw as saying.

Among those in the audience during his speech who were impressed was Gerald Yearwood, senior director in the university’s Office of Diversity Affairs.

“He’s very knowledgeable, not only about what’s needed at Miami University, but [also about] what’s needed in higher education," Yearwood said.

As provost, Gempesaw will have a say in virtually every aspect of life at the Miami University, which has 14,000 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate students and 1,500 faculty members.

Gempesaw

“Dr. Gempesaw is an accomplished scholar and administrator, and a passionate teacher," said Miami University president David Hodge.

Gempesaw is even “widely praised for his innovative thinking, his ability to build consensus and accomplish goals, and his deep commitment to student success," he added.

Hodge pointed out: “At Delaware, he has compiled an extraordinary record, serving as a professor, department chair, vice provost for academic and international programs, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and dean of the Lerner College."

For his part, Gempesaw said he was grateful for the confidence and support of all those who participated in the search process.

Gempesaw graduated from Ateneo de Davao University, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics. He taught economics as an adjunct instructor at Ateneo before heading to the US.

He earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University, and doctorate in agricultural economics in 1985 from Pennsylvania State University.

He then climbed the teaching ladder at the University of Delaware, starting as an assistant professor and becoming vice provost and dean of the Lerner College’s five academic departments and five centers.

At Delaware, he managed the college’s more than $55-million budget under responsibility-based budgeting. He also oversaw the hiring of 28 new faculty members, 17 of whom were women or members of the protected class.

He has published more than 100 papers in various academic journals, including the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Production and Inventory Management Journal, Applied Economics, European Review of Agricultural Economics, and Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education. — JE/LBG, GMA News

No comments:

Post a Comment