New interim dean of the School of Business appointed

The State University of New York at New Paltz announces the appointment of Kristin Backhaus as interim dean of the School of Business, effective July 1, 2014. She will serve in this capacity while a national search is conducted for a permanent dean.

Currently the assistant dean for assessment and professor of management, Backhaus has held positions of increasing responsibility since joining the College in 1986. During her 28-year tenure at SUNY New Paltz, she has held positions as the assistant director of human resources, affirmative action officer and assistant to the dean of education. Since 2000, she has served as the faculty advisor to the Management Association.

“I am confident that Kristin is well placed to lead the School of Business and serve our students, alumni and faculty very well during this interim period,” said Provost Philip Mauceri.

Backhaus is the recipient of a 2009 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, a 2008 School of Business Distinguished Service Award and a New Paltz Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award in 2005. She is president-elect for the Eastern Academy of Management, and will become president of this organization in May 2014, and serves the co-editor of current empirical research for the Organization Management Journal.

She holds a doctorate in educational administration and policy studies from the University at Albany, a master of education degree in student personnel administration from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree in literature and rhetoric from Binghamton University.