There will be a changing of the guard at the Faculty of Social Sciences. The university announced today that, starting October 1st, Evelyn Kroesbergen will succeed Michiel Kompier as dean.
Kroesbergen has worked at Radboud University since 2018. She is a professor of Pedagogy and does research into children’s learning processes in primary school. She pays special attention to the education needs of children with learning difficulties, as well as gifted children.
For two years now Kroesbergen has been vice-dean of education. In this role she is involved with faculty strategy and cooperation within the faculty. She is committed to themes such as diversity, inclusivity, and ‘recognition and rewards.’
Rector Han van krieken stated in a press release that Kroesbergen enjoys broad support within the faculty for her ‘connecting mindset.’ She is an ‘energetic and positive person, with a refreshing view and administrative qualities.’
With Kroesbergen’s appointment the ratio of male to female deans at Radboud University has been rectified. After October 1st, three out of seven deans will be female.
How is a dean selected?
Whenever a position as dean becomes available at the university, a so-called ‘advisory appointment committee’ is established. This usually consists of two professors of the faculty and a student and employee from the faculty participational bodies, with a dean from a different faculty serving as chair. The faculty’s Executive Board creates a profile, after wich the advisory committee starts the recruitment procedure and holds talks with potential candidates; these can be both internal and external candidates. The advisory committee chooses the most suitable candidate and presents them to the Executive Board. Under normal circumstances the Board will then appoint that candidate.
A new dean often comes from the University’s own ranks, but there are exceptions. For example, Tom Elfring, dean of the Nijmegen School of Management, transferred from the University of Liverpool.