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Schmidt Named Interim CAS Dean at WIU

September 14, 2023

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) James Schmidt has been named the college's interim dean, effective September, 1.

Schmidt has been with WIU since 1993, serving as a faculty member in the Psychology Department, primarily focusing on teaching graduate courses for the Clinical/Community Mental Health master's program and clinical supervision of graduate student therapists in training. In July 2000, Schmidt joined the WIU Dean's Office as assistant dean of CAS, and was promoted to associate dean in 2004.

"I am very excited to lead the College of Arts and Sciences as we address the ever-evolving challenges to higher education," Schmidt said. "CAS has been committed to excellence in teaching, undergraduate research and experiential learning and we will continue to emphasize those priorities. I feel extremely fortunate to get to work with an outstanding group of faculty and department chairs. We all share the same devotion to our students and to their ultimate success. I am most grateful to have the opportunity to serve CAS in this new position."

Prior to coming to WIU, Schmidt held positions as a suicide hotline counselor and runaway shelter houseparent at Switchboard, Inc. in Fort Wayne, IN. He served as a research project coordinator and adjunct instructor at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University.

"I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Jim Schmidt who brings many years of experience to the dean's office," WIU Provost and Academic Vice President Manoochehr Zoghi said. "His excellent leadership, dedication, and commitment to collaboration with faculty as well as providing academic opportunities to students will continue to serve CAS well."

Schmidt received his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Purdue University in Fort Wayne, IN; his master's and doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA; and his clinical training at Veterans Administration Hospital in Cleveland, OH; and became a licensed clinical psychologist in IL in 1997.

For more information on CAS, visit wiu.edu/cas.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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