DURHAM, N.H. -- University Professor and Provost John Aber announced the appointment of Professor Sally Ward as interim dean of University of New Hampshire Manchester effective July 1, 2010, for a two-year term.

Ward, professor of sociology at UNH and a senior faculty advisor in the Carsey Institute, has 30 years of experience teaching at UNH. She will assume the position currently held by Dean Kristin Woolever, who will leave Manchester to assume the presidency at Prescott College in Arizona July 1.

In his announcement, Aber noted that Ward has the ability to blend leadership, financial management, and a commitment to the university's academic mission in Manchester and Durham. "Dean Woolever catalyzed growth in mission and responsiveness to the community during her tenure, and we are sorry that she is leaving us, but Dr. Ward is an established and respected leader with many connections to Manchester. She can maintain UNH Manchester's momentum and position UNH in the region for the future while allowing the campus the opportunity to evaluate and plan."

In her role as interim dean, Ward will be chief academic and administrative officer and maintain effective student services for more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students on campus. A search for the permanent dean is expected to begin in the next academic year.

"I am very excited about this opportunity to work with colleagues at UNH Manchester to further their accomplishments and contributions to the community and to the university's mission," said Ward.  "I have deep substantive interests in urban sociology, so it seems especially appropriate for me to take on this role at our urban campus. I very much look forward to the next two years."

Ward holds a bachelor's from the University of Maryland and a master's and Ph.D. from Brown University. Ward is known for her ability to balance an active research program with a strong commitment to students and to the welfare of the UNH community at large. She served as associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts for two years and served as chair of the sociology department on two occasions for nearly 10 years. Her recent research has focused on unwanted sexual experiences, how housing contributes to poverty, and access to affordable food among New Hampshire families.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling more than 12,200 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.

A photo of Sally Ward is available for download: /unhtoday/news/expertsearch/expertdetails.cfm?sid=345