Pittsburg State University announces academic leadership changes

Several key academic leadership changes have been announced by Pittsburg State University, including the following:  

Executive Vice President / Provost 

With the retirement of Howard Smith this summer, Susan Bon was chosen as the university’s next executive vice president and provost following a national search. Bon is a professor, scholar, and national leader who has been focused on law and policy, disability law, civic engagement, workplace civility, and ethical leadership during her 25 years in academics. 

One of her most joyful accomplishments was chairing 26 successful doctoral dissertations and serving as an Honors Thesis Chair for many completed and several in progress honors students.  

She has edited several books and authored or coauthored nearly 70 publications addressing the legal and ethical principles that inform school leaders and impact leadership in education and special education.  

As an academic leader, Bon has served in leadership roles across the University of South Carolina, including the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, Student Affairs, and most recently as an interim associate dean in the College of Education.  

She is a co-principal investigator for two U.S. Department of Education grants with USC colleagues that provide educational opportunities and support to educators and school districts in South Carolina.  

Prior to her university faculty service, she worked in the Ohio Department of Education. She earned her law degree and a doctorate in education policy and leadership from Ohio State University. 

College of Arts & Sciences Interim Dean 

Chris Childers, who has been serving as director of the School of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences, has been chosen as the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

That role is being vacated by Dean Mary Carol Pomatto, who is returning to teaching in the Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing to finish out her career. 

College of Education Interim Dean 

John Oppliger, who has served as director of the Health, Human Performance, and Recreation department for 20 years, had announced earlier this year he would return to teaching this fall. Instead, he will move to the role of interim dean of the College of Education while a national search is underway for that position, which is being vacated by James Truelove.  

Truelove, who has served as dean since 2017, will return to teaching. 

College of Technology Interim Dean 

President Dan Shipp continues to serve as interim dean. A national search for a permanent dean will begin this fall. 

Chairs/Directors: 

Nursing – Amy Hite, a longtime faculty member in the Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, is replacing longtime director Cheryl Giefer, who is returning to teaching to finish out her career. 

Biology/Chemistry – Associate Professor Christine Brodsky is replacing Bobby Winters, who has chaired the departments since the retirement of Virginia Ryder in May 2023. Winters is returning to teaching to finish out his career. 

Health, Human Performance, and Recreation – Associate Professor Cole Shewmake will assume the role of interim chair Oppliger departs to serve as interim dean of the College of Education. 

Teaching & Leadership – Jason Clemenson, an assistant professor, will assume the role of interim chair when current chair Cherona Hicklin returns to teaching this summer. 

History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences – Associate Professor Kyle Thompson will assume the role of interim chair when current chair Chris Childers moves into the role of interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.