Academic Programs | Office of the Vice Provost

Halpern

Dr. Linda Cabe Halpern
Vice Provost for University Programs and
Dean of University Studies

Dr. Halpern has been at JMU since 1986, spending ten years as a faculty member in Art History before joining the university administration. She has acted as Dean of University Studies since 2006, overseeing a number of large academic programs that cross college or departmental lines. Prior to that, she was Dean of General Education 1996-2006, leading JMU’s general education program through a successful reform effort and establishing it as a signature program for the university and a national leader in general education outcomes assessment. In addition to the units listed, Dr. Halpern serves as the academic dean for undeclared undergraduate students.

Dr. Halpern served for many years on the board of the American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD) and was board chair 2009-2011. She worked with that organization to develop a number of professional development opportunities for academic deans.

Dr. Halpern holds a Ph.D. and M.A. (History of Art) from Yale University and B.A. (Art History) from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

University Programs

The Office of the Vice Provost for University Programs provides oversight and support for large academic programs that involve multiple colleges and departments. In addition, the office is the liaison for JMU’s partnership with Study Group to offer a pathway program for international students and coordinates activities related to online instruction.

Staff
Dr. Herb Amato, Associate Vice Provost for University Programs
Maury Hall, Room 109 | 540.568.3576 | amatohk@jmu.edu

Dr. Margaret M. Mulrooney, Associate Vice Provost for University Programs
Maury Hall, Room 112 | 540.568.8179 | mulroomm@jmu.edu

Ms. Catherine Crummett, Assistant Vice Provost for University Programs
Maury Hall, Room 115 | 540.568.2508 | crummecm @jmu.edu

Ms. Lori Smilowitz, Administrative Assistant
Maury Hall, Room 104A | 540.568.7770 |smilowlg@jmu.edu

Ms. Clarissa Shoecraft, Administrative Assistant (fiscal)
Maury Hall, Room 104 | 540.568.7525 | shoecrcl@jmu.edu

Departments
The following areas report directly to the Vice Provost for University Programs.

Center for Assessment and Research Studies
Dr. Donna Sundre, Executive Director
Anthony Seegar, Room 23 | 540.568.3483 | sundredl@jmu.edu

General Education Program
Dr. Margaret M. Mulrooney, Associate Vice Provost for University Programs
Maury Hall, Room 112 | 540.568.8179 | mulroomm@jmu.edu

Ms. Gretchen Hazard, Cluster One Coordinator
Harrison Hall, Room 1272 | 540.568.3428 | hazardga@jmu.edu

Dr. Dennis Beck; Cluster Two Coordinator
Estes Center, Room 2222 | 540.568.6386 | beckdc@jmu.edu

Dr. Scott Paulson, Cluster Three Coordinator
Physics Chemistry Building 2310 | 540.568.4567 | paulsosa@jmu.edu

Dr. Raymond “Skip” Hyser, Cluster Four Coordinator
Jackson Hall, Room 208 | 540.568.6043 | hyserrm@jmu.edu

Dr. Georgia Polacek, Cluster Five Coordinator
Maury Hall, Room 111 | 540.568.7097 | polacegn@jmu.edu

Honors Program
Dr. Barry Falk, Director
Hillcrest, Room 102 | 540.568.5535 | falkbl@jmu.edu

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies
Dr. Fletcher Linder, Director
Maury Hall, Room 118 | 540.568.5260 | lindergf@jmu.edu

Outreach & Engagement
Dr. James Shaeffer, Associate Vice Provost
Memorial Hall, Room 3185 | 540.568.4253 | shaeffjm@jmu.edu

University Advising
Ms. Anna Lynn Bell, Director
Wilson Hall, Room 102 | 540.568.7350 | bellal@jmu.edu

University Studies
Maury Hall, Room 104 | 540.568.7770 | universitystudies@jmu.edu

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