Hank Foley Named MU Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies; Leona Rubin Named MU Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies, UM Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Graduate Education

March 13th, 2014

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­— University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin announced today that Henry C. “Hank” Foley has been named as senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies at MU, and Leona Rubin, who has been serving as interim dean of the graduate school, has been named associate vice chancellor for graduate studies at MU and associate vice president for academic affairs and graduate education at the UM System. Foley will continue serving in his current position of executive vice president for academic affairs, research and economic development with the UM System. These appointments are effective today.

“Hank Foley, who was interviewed by faculty during the search for his current role, is doing a superb job coordinating the research functions at all four UM campuses. His expertise and experience will help us build upon our strong research foundation to help us solidify our status in the Association of American Universities (AAU),” Loftin said. “With her institutional knowledge and leadership experience, Leona is the perfect individual to help us move forward as we restructure our graduate school functions.”

The MU senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies will provide leadership for MU’s research operation. The Office of Research oversees the Division of Sponsored Programs, nine research centers, the MU Technology Management and Industry Relations Program, and the Office of Animal Research.

“Ensuring that the research and economic development capabilities at MU achieve excellence is an absolute priority,” University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe said.  “Hank Foley’s vast experience and cutting-edge vision will provide the transformational leadership that will continue to grow the research and economic development expertise of our system’s flagship campus.”

Foley earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University and a doctorate in physical and inorganic chemistry from Penn State. Foley served on the University of Delaware chemical engineering faculty for 14 years before returning to Penn State in 2000. In his tenure at Penn State, Foley served as department head, associate vice president for research and director of strategic initiatives, and dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. He has extensive industry experience, including working for American Cyanamid and consulting with companies such as Westvaco, Air Products, Monsanto, DuPont and Engelhard Corporation.

“Research and economic development have been passions of mine throughout my academic career, and I am excited about the opportunities and potential at MU,” Foley said. “Serving as both UM System executive vice president and MU senior vice chancellor will provide a unique approach toward growing MU’s footprint in research and economic development, both crucial elements in maintaining the university’s elite status as a member of the AAU.”

As associate vice chancellor for graduate studies, Rubin will continue to manage and promote graduate education at MU. In her role as associate vice president for academic affairs and graduate education at the UM System, Rubin will collaborate with Foley in the UM System Office of Academic Affairs. Rubin and Foley will work together with the deans to determine any necessary structural or administrative changes to graduate education on campus. Currently, the Graduate School is responsible for managing interdisciplinary, post-graduate education, including a master’s of public health program, a doctorate of informatics program and a doctorate of genetics program. Additionally, the Graduate School is responsible for admission, financial aid, and professional development of graduate students and faculty.

“I’m excited about working with Hank; graduate and professional education is an important mission and blends very well with the research mission at Mizzou because so many of our graduate and professional students are working side-by-side with our faculty making new discoveries that are improving lives every day,” Rubin said. “Putting these two units together again is an exciting new opportunity that can benefit Mizzou’s missions of research and education.”

Rubin was named interim vice provost for advanced studies and dean of the graduate school in June 2013. She has a bachelor’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, a master’s degree from Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey, and a doctorate from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Rubin joined the University of Missouri in 1989 as a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. From 2006-2011, she served on the MU Faculty Council, and was elected chair of the council in 2009.

Rubin also has served as chair of MU’s faculty affairs committee and as campus representative to the UM System Intercampus Faculty Council. She also has chaired numerous other campus committees, including the campus Strategic Planning Actions and Outcomes Committee and the Task Force for Online Academic Policies. She has served on faculty committees to address faculty grievance policies, the Grievance Oversight Committee and the Strategic Plan Progress Committee. In 2012-2013, Rubin was awarded an American Council on Education Fellowship at the University of Iowa where she was mentored by President Sally Mason.

“We’re in a time of significant change at Mizzou with new and interim leadership in numerous roles,” Loftin said. “As should always be the case in these situations, we are continuing to assess our current structures and administrative roles and reorganizing them based on the strengths of the offices and individuals carrying out those duties. We’re very excited about building Mizzou to be the model for public, land grant universities of the future.”