DeKALB | As new dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Christopher McCord plans to focus on strategic planning.

McCord has been named the new dean and will start July 1.

To find qualified candidates, NIU used the help of a search firm.

“Search firms can find people who aren’t necessarily on the job market,” said Provost Ray Alden.

A committee was selected to represent everyone within the college, including students, for the interview process. All members were given the opportunity to comment on the acceptability of each candidate, the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, and any concerns they may have.

“All of the constituents had a strong level of support for Dr. McCord,” Alden said.

The candidates were told that an endowment, when matured, will also be available to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to invest in the college in whatever way they see fit to help improve it.

“As we go into capital campaigns, it’s always good to show the value of endowments to a university,” Alden said.

Currently, McCord is the associate dean for graduate affairs at McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.

He spent five years as executive director over the Taft Memorial Fund, teaching skill sets for students to become faculty members.

McCord has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics from Bowling Green University and a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin. McCord started at the University of Cincinnati as an assistant mathematics professor in 1986.

“One of the first things he’s going to do is college-level strategic planning,” said William Minor, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “I think he’s coming with the intent of engaging the college in a strategic planning process. As dean, he will let the goals of the college emerge through that process.”

McCord wants to work with faculty to prioritize and come to a consensus on what the faculty would like to see done first, Alden said.

“I come with an enthusiasm for all of the arts and sciences and the ability to value and internalize the goals and aspirations of different disciplines,” McCord said in a statement. “The key strength of the college is its faculty. The culture of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is very positive. The college has excellent professors, talented researchers and people who are deeply committed to their educational mission.”