Kent State’s Office of the Provost recently announced that the university is accepting applications for a new, permanent dean of the Honors College. Leading the search is Todd Diacon, Kent State’s vice president of academic affairs and provost.

The position was officially vacated in 2012 by current Economics Department Chair Donald Williams, who left the position to take a year-long sabbatical in Luxembourg. He later returned to Kent State to teach, according to a university statement in June 2012.

In Williams’ place, Kent State geology professor Donald Palmer was named interim dean. Though he was initially supposed to hold the position for one year while a permanent dean was hired, Palmer has served as interim dean for the past 3.5 years.

A separate statement from the Office of the Provost, describes the job duties of the future dean as “(providing) strategic leadership to advance the mission, operations, and programs of the college, building on the strong legacy of the past, while charting a course for an exciting and transformative journey over the next decade.”

Applications for the position will be accepted until Jan. 20. No information is currently available on when a new dean will be named.

Nicholas Hunter is a general assignment reporter, contact him at [email protected].