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Andreadis is new EUP deanJune 16, 2005 KALAMAZOO--An educator who has an extensive background in professional development and leadership training as well as medical research has been named to lead Western Michigan University's regional education efforts. Dr. Nicholas Andreadis, who directs the University's master's degree program in human resources development, will assume the duties of dean of Extended University Programs July 1. A WMU faculty member since 1999, Andreadis has focused much of his career on learning, performance improvement, organizational change and leadership development. His background includes a 13-year stint at the Upjohn Co. and Pharmacia, beginning in 1984 with a post in Upjohn's medical and regulatory affairs organizations and ending in 1997. During his final five years with the firm, he served in a series of executive-level positions aimed at developing globally effective leaders and managing organizational change. His titles during that period included vice president of the Corporate Quality Center, vice president for leadership development and administrative services, and vice president for global leadership development. "I'm delighted we've found a highly qualified, senior-level professional to lead this important part of the University," says Dr. Linda Delene, WMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Dr. Andreadis has a clear understanding of our mission and the importance of our outreach efforts in fulfilling that mission. He brings a wealth of experience, vision and real leadership skills to his new post." In his current role with WMU, Andreadis has been responsible for course development, instruction, advising and distance education for students in the human resource development program as well as those pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in several counseling disciplines. When he joined the faculty in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology in 1999, a decision was made to expand WMU's human resources program and to focus on the Grand Rapids market, so his teaching has been done primarily at WMU-Grand Rapids. He says the experience has made him familiar with WMU's regional education efforts and cognizant of the potential that exists. "There's been a dramatic change in the way education is delivered. It's a marketplace and students have a wide variety of choices, so WMU is in a very competitive environment," Andreadis says. "But we're perfectly positioned to reach both traditional and nontraditional learners at any stage of their work and life cycles. We have the technology and facilities in place to serve students in their communities, and we can be the ears of the University in the communities we serve, transmitting what we learn about student needs back to the academic departments." A physician by training, Andreadis retains his medical licensure in Nebraska and in Michigan. His early career focus was cardiovascular medicine, and he has an extensive research and publication record in that arena. His more recent publications include journal articles and book chapters in the human resource development field. Andreadis is a 1969 graduate of Kent State University, and he earned a medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in 1974. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Creighton and a two-year fellowship in cardiovascular diseases there, as well. He is a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology. Prior to coming to Kalamazoo to work at Upjohn, he spent six years with Cardiovascular Consultants Inc., a private practice medical organization in Federal Way, Wash. WMU's Extended University Programs' roots go back to 1905. Today, the unit serves more than 6,000 students annually through the University's seven branch campuses and additional outreach efforts. WMU's distance education offerings and its conference and seminars operations all fall under the umbrella of EUP, and the unit oversees a number of other academic offerings at locations around the state. Andreadis replaces Dr. Margaret Bernhard, who has served as the interim leader of Extended University Programs since last summer. Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News |
