A School in transition- An interview with SIPA’s new dean, Shlomi Dinar

Alexander Luzula|PantherNOW.

The Green School of International and Public Affairs has found itself in a time of significant change. 

The opening of the new SIPA II building slated to host classes in the fall, the college’s recent acceptance into the prestigious Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs and most importantly, the June 26 announcement of FIU’s own Shlomi Dinar as its new dean. 

Dinar’s career at FIU stretches back 19 years, beginning as an assistant professor in 2004 after receiving his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.

“When they told me I secured the job, I was very excited because this meant I was going to Miami,” said Dinar. 

“Usually, when you’re finished with your PH.D. and you’re applying for academic positions, you just don’t know where you’re going to land, and for someone like myself who very much loves diversity, loves to hear different languages, tasting different foods; to be in an international city was very important, so you can only imagine how excited I was when I received the offer.”

As Dinar progressed to an associate professor in 2009 and a full professor in 2019, he involved himself with SIPA’s administration, assuming the role of Associate Director for Academics in 2012. 

“I started off at the Biscayne Bay Campus,” said Dinar. “Of course, I loved my job, loved teaching… but I always felt like I wanted to do more, so when the Associate Director for Academics opportunity came up, I grabbed it, said ‘absolutely.’”

In 2015, Dinar would be appointed Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Innovation. He would find enjoyment in involving himself within the various aspects of academia.

“The transition from faculty to administrator, for me, was very natural because I enjoy administration, I love building programs, and certainly the transition… was not so difficult because I’ve been doing this and I’ve been part of building the school for many years.”

Seven years later, Dinar would be tapped in as interim Dean in 2022, following the passing of Founding Dean John F. Stack.

Dinar’s time as interim and permanent dean comes at a time of significant transition for the School of International and Public Affairs, most notably, the construction of the new SIPA II building set to open in the fall. 

“We have eight departments in the Green School as well as several centers, institutes, and programs. The construction of SIPA II allows us to connect nearly all of our students, faculty, and staff under one roof,” said Dinar. 

Staff and faculty relations have been a focal point of Dinar’s deanship. While interim dean, Dinar created two Faculty Fellow positions-one dedicated to research, rankings and reputation while the other is dedicated to graduate studies. Professors Hakan Yilmazkuday and Kevin Evans were appointed to the positions, respectively.

 Also established was the position of Staff Fellow, meant to serve as a liaison between administrative staff and faculty. Johanna Hodgson, Center for Labor Research and Studies program manager, would be appointed to the position. 

Dinar also established competitive research awards for faculty and graduate students, in which professors and students would present proposals to a committee, with winners receiving research funding.

“For me, it was very very important to have a connection between the Dean’s office and the faculty and provide support for faculty. After all, in addition to students, faculty and staff make up a school,” said Dinar.

Regarding students, under his deanship, the college created the Career Advisory Board, composed of local and state officials as well as private business experts, as a means of mentoring students and providing valuable connections to potential internships and careers.

Dinar also hopes to bring national attention by utilizing FIU’s recent APSIA membership to organize an “APSIA Deans and Directors Speaker Series” inviting deans from APSIA member schools to give lectures to the FIU community.

“Really, I think as we look to the future… our goal is to increase the visibility and influence of the Green School as the go-to school for the study of international and public affairs with policy impact,” said Dinar. 

That is where I would like to take the Green School in step with our faculty, student and staff. We’ve done amazing things already, and we have a great base to build on.”