February 3, 2016
University Honors Program director search
![Dr. Justin J. Kastner Dr. Justin J. Kastner](http://www.k-state.edu/k-publisher/custom-images/2016-Feb-02_1227_57-jkastne.jpg)
Justin J. Kastner will this summer conclude his highly successful tenure as director of the University Honors Program. Among his many notable achievements, Kastner has led a recently approved restructuring of program requirements, expanded benefits, and helped recruit and mentor a steadily growing number of K-State honors students. Thankfully, the program will continue to benefit from Kastner's teaching, mentoring and advocacy even as he returns to his full-time faculty appointment in the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The national search for a new director will be led by Tim de Noble, professor and dean of the College of Architecture, Planning & Design. Dean de Noble will be joined in this effort by the following search committee:
- Daralyn Gordon Arata, advisor, Office of Pre-Law Advising
- Stephanie Bannister, associate director, Department of Housing and Dining Services
- Louise Benjamin, associate dean, College of Arts & Sciences
- Kelly Briggs, academic advisor, College of Education
- Anita Cortez, director, Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry
- Emily Dringenberg, First-Year Program instructor, College of Engineering
- Jim Hohenbary, director, Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships; associate director, University Honors Program
- Madelyn Johnson, senior in psychology, University Honors Program ambassador
- Shawna Jordan, assistant dean, College of Human Ecology
- Drew Kohlmeier, senior in biology, Honors Executive Board president
- Kiley Moody, coordinator, New Student Services
- Chwen Sheu, interim associate dean, College of Business Administration
- Shannon Washburn, assistant dean, College of Agriculture
- Cecilia Wuertz, University Honors Program '15, interim program assistant
Later this semester, the search committee will announce opportunities for members of the K-State community to meet finalists and learn about their vision for the University Honors Program's future growth and development. The committee's goal is to facilitate the appointment of a new program director by July 1.
Please contact Steven Dandaneau, vice provost for undergraduate studies, with any questions at dandaneau@k-state.edu or 785-532-1097.