It is our pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Steve Phillips as the new Director of Asian Studies effective 1 January 2007. Dr. Phillips is an associate professor in the History Department and has been an active member of the Asian Studies Advisory Committee. Both Dr. Phillips and his predecessor, Dr. Doug Herman from the Geography Department, have been instrumental in providing the innovative leadership that has made Asian Studies a ?model? interdisciplinary program. Asian Studies is one of several major tracks within the Interdisciplinary Studies major.
Dr. Phillips brings to Asian Studies his expertise on East Asian history. His research and expertise on the long term ramifications of President Nixon?s historic and bold visit to the Peoples? Republic of China in 1972 was recently highlighted in the Baltimore Sun (?Stroke of Diplomacy,? 31 December 2006, p. 3F).
As Director of Asian Studies, Dr. Phillips will coordinate the efforts of the advisory committee; oversee scheduling of classes, advising, curriculum development, assessment, and overall advocacy of Asian Studies at Towson University. Dr. Phillips will join with directors of other Interdisciplinary Studies major and minor tracks as a key player in new interdisciplinary initiatives as well as efforts to strengthen current programs.
Join us in welcoming, congratulating, and supporting Dr. Steve Phillips as he assumes these new responsibilities. On behalf of Interdisciplinary Studies, we extend a ?thank you? to Dr. Doug Herman for the dynamic leadership he has provided to the Asian Studies Program. Although housed in the College of Liberal Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies programs reach across the entire spectrum of colleges in the university at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This kind of leadership benefits students in all of our colleges and helps us to create the kind of vibrant intellectual environment for which we continually strive.
