Cal Poly’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA) has found a new dean in Douglas Epperson, the current dean at Washington State University.
Epperson was selected after a yearlong search to replace Linda Halisky, who is retiring from her position after eight years to return to teaching. According to Halisky, Epperson was chosen in part because of his ability to continue the vision of the CLA that she started.
“I think he understands where our college is, and I think he’s prepared to step right in and keep moving us forward,” Halisky said.
Part of that moving forward will include developing a new strategic plan for the CLA, Associate Dean Debra Valencia-Laver said.
Cal Poly recently developed a new campus-wide strategic plan, and received guidance during the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation review. The next step is to develop a plan specific to the CLA’s growth, Valencia-Laver said.
As a man who has served as dean of Washington State’s College of Liberal Arts and dean of Iowa State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Epperson is prepared for that task, Valencia-Laver said.
“He’s had quite a bit of experience at a few institutions and we see that as a good thing,” Valencia-Laver said.
Epperson is expected to begin work in August.