Indiana University East has appointed Neil Sabine as the Dean of the School of Natural Science and Mathematics, effective May 1, 2013. Sabine has served the campus as the interim dean since August 2011, in addition to teaching as an associate professor of biology.

As dean, Sabine is responsible for all aspects of the school, including faculty recruitment, development and evaluation; program development, assessment and improvement; student recruitment and success; budget management and fundraising; and other matters related to the continuing well-being of the school and its faculty, staff and students. The school currently offers bachelor’s degrees in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, human life science, and mathematics and an interdisciplinary degree in natural science and mathematics as well as a variety of minors.

Interim Chancellor Larry Richards compliments Sabine, saying that “IU East is truly fortunate to have someone of Neil’s abilities and dedication to serve as dean of natural science and mathematics. His service over the past couple of years as interim dean has been exemplary, and I know his faculty and staff are extremely pleased with his willingness to continue in the more permanent role, as am I.”

Sabine first joined IU East as an assistant professor of biology in 1991. He was promoted to associate professor in 1998.

“It is an honor to be working with the outstanding faculty and staff that make up our school. When I came to IU East I found a home here. It is a pleasure to serve the institution that has done so much for me and my family,” Sabine said.

Sabine added that the School has set a goal to double the number of majors and graduates in five years. In fall 2012, the School of Natural Science and Mathematics enrolled 241 students.

While at IU East, Sabine has received the IU East Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2002, the Indiana University Trustee’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003, and IU’s Frederic Bachman Lieber Award in 2004.

Sabine’s research interests include roosting and foraging behavior of Turkey Vultures in east central Indiana. He also researches the relationship between student learning environments and their academic performance.

Sabine received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Secondary Education from the State University College at Oswego, New York. He received his Master of Arts in Zoology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., and his Ph.D. in Zoology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Before joining the faculty at IU East, Sabine was a professor in the Department of Arts and Sciences at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.