NEW ORLEANS (September 26, 2019) – The Office of Academic Affairs has made some major changes to its lineup this academic year, with three people hired, three promotions and three positions eliminated, according to Dr. Yolanda Page, vice president.
The new hires include:
- Dr. Kristen Broady of Chicago has assumed the position on Sept. 3 as dean of the College of Business, which recently earned accreditation. She succeeds Dr. Richard Igwike, who was interim dean.
- Dr. Danielle Duffourc, who started in the new position of assistant vice president of institutional research and effectiveness. She will lead the university re-accreditation effort. Prior to joining Dillard, Duffourc was director of institutional effectiveness and assessment at Xavier.
- Jacques Detiege, in the new position of director of assessment and analysis. Detiege previously worked with the Metropolitan Crime Commission and at Xavier and the University of Holy Cross.
Three people received promotions. Dr. Eartha Johnson, who had been interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, was succeeded by Dr. Eric Buckles. Johnson assumed the new position of dean of faculty and student academic support. And Dr. Nancy Dixon, associate professor of English, has become program coordinator. Previously, she and Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy shared the position and then Page was interim coordinator.
Johnson is an associate professor of psychology, and Buckles is an associate biology professor and program coordinator.
Three positions were eliminated: associate vice president for academic affairs; director of institutional effectiveness and research; and director of the Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, and undergraduate research.
Johnson will assume the duties related to undergraduate research and continue her work with faculty professional development in addition to reviewing and approving requests for excused absences, reinstatement, courses adds/drops, course substitutions and 3/2 applications, among other duties. Detiege is leading the QEP effort.
Page said the new positions were added “as an aspect of the Division of Academic Affairs' continuous improvement plan. The positions will help ensure the university continues to achieve its mission and goals.”
Page said all these changes are for the betterment of students.
“[Broady] is currently working on a major grant which will provide career readiness opportunities for students within the College [of Business],” said Page. “[Johnson] will provide decentralized customer service to students as well develop a reimagined undergraduate research experience, and [Duffourc and Detiege] will lead initiatives that will positively impact student matriculation, retention, and graduation.”
Duffourc said one of the goals of reorganization was to “increase emphasis on data-driven decision making and as such, data collection, organization, and sharing of information across campus.”
Growing up in the west bank, Duffourc said she always has known about Dillard and has been impressed by teaching, research and service at the university.
She added, “One of my goals is to make students feel seen and heard, using tools such as surveys and focus groups and providing fast feedback to those who can drive change.”
Detiege said his first month at Dillard has made him feel comfortable: “This is one of the nicest places I’ve ever worked. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, and I am looking forward to a great year.”
Dixon said, “We've already got the English Club up and running again, with more members than in recent years.”
