Hanson will be the school’s associate dean for institutional planning while maintaining his current position as chair of the political science department.
SGIS Dean Lee Feinstein said in the release that Hanson’s academic record and experiences in various administrative roles at IU qualify him for the position.
“Russ’ experience and leadership will be instrumental in helping SGIS leverage IU’s unmatched strengths in regional studies and languages,” he said in the release.
Hanson has been a faculty member at IU since 1980 and chair of its political science department since 2009. He was acting dean of COAS in 1999 and 2000.
In addition, he was a teaching fellow at the Institute of United States Studies at the University of London and a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Science at Stanford University. He also has been a visiting professor at several universities in the US and abroad.
“It is a privilege for me to assist Dean Feinstein in mobilizing the creativity and energy of faculty and students with global concerns and interests,” Hanson said.
Hanson said the new school will build upon IU’s existing strengths and the growing interest of students and faculty in global issues.
“Establishing a new School of Global and International Studies is a large undertaking, and a vitally important one for a university like ours, which is renowned for its area studies centers, language programs and social sciences,” he said.
Hanson said in the release he is excited at the prospect of what the school can become.
“I look forward to working with (faculty and students) to make the school a leader in preparing the next generation of policy makers, entrepreneurs and humanitarian aides and organizers operating on the world stage,” he said.
Neha Ramani
