Lynn Beck to Step Down as Dean
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Lynn Beck, Dean of the Gladys L. Benerd School of Education and interim Dean of the University Library, announced last month that she is stepping down from her administrative roles at the end of the academic year. She will be taking a sabbatical and plans to return to Pacific as a faculty member.
"Lynn is a highly respected dean who has been tremendously entrepreneurial in leading the School of Education, in forging partnerships with other institutions of higher education, and developing innovative programs," said Provost Maria Pallavicini. "She's been a tremendous leader of faculty in the BSE and a strategic leader in developing interdisciplinary programs. During the past year Lynn has also served as Interim Dean of the Library and done a phenomenal job in working with library faculty and staff to position the library for the future. She's just an outstanding dean all around."
Beck said it has been her plan for some time to continue her career as a faculty member, not an administrator. "It made sense to do it now," Beck said. "It seemed as if the timing was right. ... We're in very good shape in the School of Education, and the library is in good shape, too". Beck said she hopes the sabbatical will give her an opportunity to "retool" before returning to teaching.
Pallavicini said that Linda Webster, chair of the Department of Educational and School Psychology, will step in as the interim dean at the end of the academic year. The process to search for a University Librarian will begin in March.