Extended University appoints dean

Anita McDonald, who has been serving as interim director since Aug. 1, came to the University of Arizona in 1992 as the associate dean of the Extended University with a special assignment to start the evening and weekend campus. She replaces Donald Swoboda, who left the university in July.

"I have a strong commitment to non-traditional students, such as working adults who cannot attend school during the regular hours of the university," McDonald said. "More and more students like having the options of evening and Saturday hours."

The Extended University covers a wide variety of programs, including summer session, winter session, correspondence courses and the evening and weekend campus.

Before coming to Tucson, McDonald was the dean of the evening college and director of the summer session at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. She held the position for five years, but was attracted to the UA because of its reputation and opportunities.

"It was really an opportunity to contribute to a major research institution in a meaningful way," she said.

McDonald said the department serves as a link between the community's needs and interests and the expertise of the university.

About 17,000 students take summer session classes each year, McDonald said.

Michael Gottfredson, vice president for undergraduate education, said McDonald was appointed interim dean after she did a good job as director of the summer sessions. He said because the previous dean only stayed at the university about a year, the UA did not conduct another national search.

Instead, the UA hired McDonald as interim dean.

As interim dean, McDonald oversaw an intensive program review for the Extended University, Gottfredson said. He said the review requires a state agency to justify its existence to the state.

"We are very fortunate she agreed to be dean. It's a terrific hire for the university," he said.

McDonald said she has reviewed and updated the strategic plan, which provides direction for the department. The plan emphasizes opportunities offered by technology, like classes on the Internet.

She also said she is developing more correspondence courses and advertising their availability.

Finally, McDonald said she wants to create more partnerships with Tucson businesses and community groups that would develop special programs for employees, attract employers to Tucson and strengthen economic development.

Originally from Detroit, McDonald received her doctorate in education with an emphasis in mathematics from St. Louis University.

"What I enjoy most about this opportunity is that I get to interact with all of the departments and faculty on campus. It keeps the job interesting," she said.