Pamela Carmines, Ph.D., and Kendra Schmid, Ph.D., have assumed new roles in graduate studies, following the Dec. 31 retirement of James Turpen, Ph.D.
Dr. Turpen was formerly associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and executive associate dean for graduate studies.
Dr. Carmines is now executive associate dean for graduate studies. Dr. Schmid is the campuswide director of assessment and assistant dean for graduate studies.
Dr. Carmines, an educator with 30 years of experience, said the new position would allow her to expand her horizons into academic affairs areas within Graduate Studies, ranging from coordinating program reviews to resolving student/mentor issues.
“But at the same time, I’m not giving up the responsibilities that let me interact with students,” she said.
Dr. Schmid said her new position would allow her to develop a campuswide assessment strategy while still providing biostatistical support to research projects.
“The areas of accreditation and assessment are extremely important in higher education and the process of continual evaluation, assessment, and self-improvement is fascinating to me,” she said.
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dele Davies, M.D., said Dr. Turpen leaves large shoes to fill. But, Drs. Carmines and Schmid, with Rowen Zetterman, M.D., now, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, fit the bill.
“To have three people who can step into roles like this, people who are so well-qualified, is a major plus for UNMC,” Dr. Davies said.
Dr. Zetterman agreed: “The assessment piece really needs someone the caliber of Dr. Schmid; she has the skills and the background to excel at that. Dr. Carmines is a long-time educator and basic science investigator, and the role of executive associate dean is a perfect opportunity for her.”
One more thing: “It also shows you how big a role Dr. Turpen had,” Dr. Zetterman said.