PITT'S CGS APPOINTS NEW ASSOCIATE DEAN

PITTSBURGH, May 17 -- The University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies (CGS) has named Laura Hastings its new associate dean for academic affairs. In this newly created position, Hastings will act as the link between CGS and other Pitt departments and the community, planning new majors and developing new curricula for CGS programs. CGS provides education to Pitt's adult non-traditional students, with many programs designed specifically for them.

"I'll be working with industry advisory groups to make sure that ideas for new programs can happen," Hastings said. "Then I'll work with the University's schools and colleges to get quality faculty to teach these new courses." One of her first priorities will be taking a closer look at the health services field, meeting with regional health professionals to find out where the field is going and what its needs are. She plans to convene an information technology advisory board in the fall. "The courses I will help to develop will be different from those for the 18-year-old student," she explained. "These are based more on the current market."

Hastings, who will continue to teach in Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Political Science, has been at the University for eight years. She has a Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.A. in international relations and Latin American studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard-Radcliffe College with a B.A. in Russian and Soviet studies.

"I've met a lot of folks who have gone through CGS as students, and I have always been struck by their enthusiasm and dedication to the College. I think that will be important in giving my work real meaning," she said.

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