RWC Dean Dolores Straker issued an e-mail on April 16, to all faculty and staff to announce that she would not be seeking another term as Dean of RWC. Though her reason was less than specific, she did say this in her e-mail: “For personal reasons, I have decided to withdraw my request to be considered for reappointment as Dean of Raymond Walters College for a second five year term.” Due to personal scheduling conflicts, I was unable to meet with Dean Straker for a comment on this withdrawal of request.
Included in her e-mail, Dean Straker did list some of the accomplishments made while serving as Dean of RWC. Some of these include a twenty percent increase in admissions, successful reaccreditations visits for the Veterinary Technology, Art and Visual Communication, Dental Hygiene, and Office Information Technology Programs; and the Professional Development Institute’s move into the Flory Building. She also listed bringing in over $4 million in grants by providing out-sourced training in seven states and the fact that two RWC faculty have taught at Xi’an International University in China, while the College is currently hosting its first Chinese Scholar from Xi’an University this year.