Indiana University East Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Katherine Frank has been named as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. She will begin her duties at NKU July 1, 2014.

Frank joined IU East as dean and professor of English in July 2011. Prior to joining IU East, she was the chairperson of English and Foreign Languages at Colorado State University – Pueblo and an associate professor of English.

Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe said an interim dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences will be appointed while IU East conducts a national search for a new dean.

“In the short time I have been at IU East, it has been a pleasure to get to know Katherine Frank. She has made significant contributions to our campus and community, and while we will miss her here, I wish her the very best in her new position,” Cruz-Uribe said.

While at IU East, Frank was the administrator for all aspects of the school and she instructed undergraduate and graduate courses. She led the school to expand its portfolio of academic degrees including online degree completion programs with the  Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and the Master of Arts in English in December 2013. She helped to expand the academic programs offered at the university’s off campus locations in Lawrenceburg, New Castle and Connersville.

In 2012, Frank established the “One Book, Many Voices” project to foster a campus and community discussion about themes and ideas inspired by a common text in an effort to develop camaraderie, inform knowledge, and inspire action towards positive civic engagement and improvement. The project brought nationally recognized authors Dave Isay and Doc Hendley to campus.

Frank also expanded the arts program at IU East with the recent opening of Room 912, the university’s newest art gallery, classroom, and studio space located in Downtown Richmond.

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Larry Richards said, “I am very happy for her; this is a great opportunity and an important step in her career. However, I will greatly miss her leadership, insight and advice.”

As dean at NKU, Frank will oversee the largest college at Northern Kentucky University, which includes 13 academic departments and five centers. According to NKU, the college enrolls approximately 4,800 undergraduates and 300 graduate students in the college, and offers degrees in fine arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and organizational leadership.