Illinois State University’s Provost Janet Krejci announced the appointment of Jan Murphy as interim dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST). She replaces retiring Dean Jeff Wood, and will begin her two-year appointment immediately.
Murphy’s career spans more than 20 years at the department, college, and university levels. She served as an associate provost for the University for more than 10 years, including time as interim provost. Her roles in CAST include former assistant dean, associate dean, and chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. For the last seven months, she has served as director of Campus Dining Services.
“We are fortunate to have someone as accomplished and talented as Jan Murphy to help lead the excellent teaching and research done at the College of Applied Science and Technology,” said Provost Janet Krejci. “Her leadership skills and dedication to Illinois State enrich and strengthen our University.”
After earning a Ph.D. in nutrition research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Murphy joined the Illinois State faculty in 1986 as an assistant professor of food and nutrition. She became a full professor in 1995.
CAST honored Murphy with awards for outstanding research and service. She earned University awards for team excellence, service, and research initiatives. The National Council of University Research Administrators recognized her work with the Innovative Research Program Award, and the Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences named her an Illinois Outstanding Family and Consumer Science Professional.
In her administrative roles, Murphy helped bring the American Democracy Project and the Political Engagement Project to campus, and served on the leadership team of both initiatives. In 2011, Illinois State received the first-ever Political Engagement Award of Excellence from the New York Times. She served as coordinator for the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) 2004 reaccreditation, and helped lead the Educating Illinois coordinating team for more than a decade. In addition, Murphy worked with the Academic Senate and members of the Academic Planning Committee to design and implement a program review process that has been recognized as a “best practice” by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
“I look forward to the opportunity to return to CAST, an outstanding college whose faculty, staff, and students add so much to the Illinois State family,” Murphy said. “It was an honor to work with the incredible team at Campus Dining Services, and I wiIl miss my close connection with that group.”
Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Brent Paterson appointed Bill Legett as interim director of Campus Dining Services. Legett, who was the associate director for operations of Campus Dining, has nearly 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry in the Bloomington-Normal community.
