Dr. Chad Parker is interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette.
He replaces Dr. Jordan Kellman, whose tenure as dean of the College of Liberal Arts ended earlier this year.
Parker joined UL Lafayette in 2008 as a faculty member in the college鈥檚 Department of History, Geography, and Philosophy. He led the department from 2017 until being named the college鈥檚 interim dean.
That same year, Parker, who is also an associate professor of history, earned the University鈥檚 Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award; it recognizes faculty commitment to teaching and innovation. Parker holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University, a master鈥檚 degree from Colorado State University, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Purdue University 鈥 each in history.
Dr. Michael Martin, a professor of history, has been named interim department head of the Department of History, Geography, and Philosophy.
Kellman, who joined the University as a faculty member in 2002, was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 2012. He served in a variety of roles prior to his deanship, including associate dean.
鈥淛ordan鈥檚 impactful, far-reaching leadership, influence and dedication to the College of Liberal Arts have strengthened the college鈥檚 academic mission, enhanced its programs and resources, and positioned it for additional success and growth,鈥 said Dr. Jaimie Hebert, UL Lafayette provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Kellman鈥檚 longstanding contributions to UL Lafayette will continue. He will return to the classroom, where he is a professor of history. Research projects will be another focus, including a current project about the French botanist Charles Plumier.
The was established in 1921. The University鈥檚 oldest college thrived during Kellman鈥檚 decade-plus tenure as dean.
Among recent, large-scale achievements was the establishment of the college鈥檚 Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center, an independent, interdisciplinary research center that provides public policy leadership.
Another noteworthy milestone reached under Kellman鈥檚 guidance was the coordination of extensive renovations to the 122-year-old J. Arthur Roy House. The overhaul paved the way for the University鈥檚 oldest research center 鈥 the Center for 棉花糖直播 Studies 鈥 to move into the 5,000-square-foot Queen Anne-style structure earlier this year.
鈥淭he college is poised to thrive in coming decades, because of the strength of our exemplary faculty, academic programs, and research and teaching capabilities, which are recognized across the region, state, country and internationally,鈥 Kellman said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also because the College of Liberal Arts offers an education that gives graduates knowledge, skills, abilities and perspectives that are important and essential no matter what careers or paths they choose 鈥 and that鈥檚 at the core of the value that a degree from the college represents,鈥 he added.
The University will conduct a national search to fill the College of Liberal Arts鈥 deanship.
Image caption: From left are Dr. Chad Parker, Dr. Jordan Kellman and Dr. Michael Martin. (Image credit: University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette)