Roberta Allen named associate vice president for academic affairs
Dec. 8, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- Dr. Roberta S. Allen, professor of business information systems, has been named associate vice president for academic affairs at Western Michigan University.
Allen's appointment, effective Dec. 11, was approved by the WMU Board of Trustees at its Dec. 8 meeting. Approval of her appointment was one of several personnel actions taken by the board at its regular meeting.
Allen's duties will include faculty relations and overseeing budget issues for the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She will work with budget officers in the University's various colleges and advise the provost on strategic planning issues.
"Dr. Allen is a long-time faculty member who is well known and respected by her colleagues as a hard-working, responsible and caring member of the University community," says Dr. Fredrick J. Dobney, WMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. "We think she's going to be a valuable addition to the staff and an excellent person for this particular position."
A WMU faculty member since 1979, Allen also has been director of her department's Business Communication Program. She is the author or co-author of three books and manuals in her area of expertise, including the 1997 book "The Process of Writing: Composing Through Critical Thinking." She also is the author of numerous professional articles and has made national presentations on topics that range from distance education to intercultural business communication.
Allen holds three degrees from WMU. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English in 1971 and 1978, respectively, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership in 1982.
In addition to her academic duties, Allen also serves as a court-appointed special advocate in the Michigan district court system for neglected and abused children. Her current caseload involves four children.
Allen replaces Dr. Carol L. Stamm, whose retirement with emeriti status also was approved by the board Dec. 8.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu