UI to establish new office of outreach and engagement

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa Provost's Office is establishing an Office of Outreach and Engagement to promote collaboration between faculty, staff and students and community partners across the state, officials announced Monday.

Linda Snetselaar, professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, will fill the role of associate provost for outreach and engagement on an interim basis effective June 1. A search for a permanent associate provost will begin within the year.

The new position reflects the university's emphasis on creating better futures for Iowans, one of four priority areas outlined in the UI strategic plan, UI officials said.

The new associate provost will coordinate existing and new efforts to recognize and promote publicly engaged scholarship and creative activity by UI faculty, staff and students. Other responsibilities include facilitating the development of the technological infrastructure needed to support engagement activities; helping to build a community of engaged scholars by facilitating seminars, workshops, awards and grants; and pursuing new sources of revenue to strengthen engagement programs.