Pomatto named interim dean

  Tuesday, January 5, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University Provost Lynette Olson has announced the appointment of Mary Carol Pomatto, director of PSU’s Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Karl Kunkel, who has served as dean of the college since 2011, has accepted a position as provost at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I am very pleased that Dr. Pomatto so willingly agreed to provide leadership for the College of Arts & Sciences during the next 18 months as we search for the next dean of the college,” Olson said. “Pittsburg State University is fortunate to have the depth of leadership that allows this shift of responsibilities while not putting our exceptional Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing in jeopardy. Interim leadership for the IRB School of Nursing will be announced before long."

Pomatto’s responsibilities as interim dean will begin January 16.

A 1974 graduate of PSU’s nursing program, Pomatto has served in a variety of roles on campus.

"Dr. Pomatto brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to the interim dean position, which will allow the college to move forward during this interim period," Olson said.

Pomatto received her master's degree in nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1978, an education specialist degree from PSU in 1983 and a doctorate in education with an emphasis on human resources development and adult and continuing education from Oklahoma State University in 1992. She was named chair of the Nursing Department in 2005.

In addition to serving as a member of the nursing faculty, Pomatto served as the university's liaison to the Kansas Legislature for nine years.

Pomatto said she is honored to represent the College of Arts and Sciences and the university as a whole during the interim period. 

"The college has a strong history of excellence in each of its academic programs,” Pomatto said. “I look forward to working more closely with all of the highly qualified, caring, dedicated faculty, department chairs and staff of the college as we continue to meet student needs, engage in research and scholarship and partner to serve our broader communities.”

Olson said foundational work for the search for the next College of Arts & Sciences dean will begin this spring with the appointment of a committee. The position will be advertised during the late summer and early fall of 2016, anticipating an appointment by the end of the 2017 academic year.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college at PSU, with 12 departments, 3 interdisciplinary units, and more than 50 degree programs.