Furton appoints new SEAS interim executive director

Photo courtesy of Karen Wilkening

FIUSM Staff

As July approaches, Kenneth Furton is preparing to assume his new role as provost, and Michael Heithaus as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Now Evelyn Gaiser joins them as Furton appointed her the interim executive director of the School of Environment, Arts and Society and interim associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences effective July 1.

Gaiser has been at the University since 1997, working in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Southeast Environmental Center.

She received the 2012 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities, the 2008 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship, the 2006 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2005 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, according to Furton’s June 3 memorandum.

“Under her leadership, the School of Environment, Arts and Society will continue to build the interdisciplinary educational programs, research groups, and external partnerships to ensure that FIU students and faculty are at the leading edge of their fields,” said Furton in his memorandum.

Gaiser said she has seen SEAS made “tremendous strides” in many areas, including the establishment of FIU as a source of “tangible solutions” to environmental issues at the local, national and international level.

She  said she looks forward to helping SEAS continue developing innovative research and education, as well as foster public partnerships.

“I’m honored and energized at the opportunity to help SEAS and FIU in this new role,” Gaiser said. “There are more opportunities than ever to lead responsible social change…and I’m thrilled to be able to help FIU foster a sustainable South Florida region in this way.”

In May, provost Douglas Wartzok had named the previous SEAS executive director, Michael Heithaus, as the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, starting July 1.

Heithaus has been at the University since 2003 and has served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and founder and executive director of the School of Environment, Arts and Society since 2009. He also serves as the Marine Sciences program director.

In this time at the University, Heithaus “helped raise over $12 million in philanthropic gifts, played key roles in developing new interdisciplinary academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level and has facilitated new opportunities including bringing Aquarius Reef Base to FIU,” according to a May 15 memorandum Wartzok sent to the members of the University.

The University is still searching for a candidate to be the permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

-news@fiusm.com