Stanley Wearden, dean of the College of Communication and Information at Kent State, has been selected as a finalist for provost of Columbia College Chicago.

Wearden was one of two finalists announced for the position Jan. 28th. The other finalist, Chris McCord, is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Illinois University.

Wearden has been the dean of CCI for more than four years. However, he has been a Kent State faculty member since 1984, starting out as an assistant professor. He received a distinguished teaching award from the university in 2002 and was recently assigned cochair of Kent State’s Academic Affairs Strategic Plan Committee.

“I was very honored to be nominated,” Wearden said. “I’m looking forward to going and really finding out more about what Columbia College Chicago is all about.”

Wearden will visit Columbia College Chicago on Feb. 11 to introduce himself to the college’s community and address students, faculty and staff.

Thor Wasbotten, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State, said he is giving Wearden his full support.

“I am proud that our dean has been nominated and named a finalist for the provost position at Columbia College Chicago,” Wasbotten said. “Dean Wearden is a tremendous leader for our college.”   

Columbia College Chicago has not had a permanent provost for nearly three years. However, with the announcement of Wearden and McCord as finalists, one will be selected in the very near future.

LuEtt Hanson, an associate dean for the College of Communication and Information, said she believes Wearden is well qualified for the job.

“Dean Wearden is an accomplished teacher, researcher and administrator, as well as a thoughtful, ethical, compassionate leader,” Hanson said.  “He and I have worked together in various roles for more than 25 years, and I have learned a great deal from him. I wish him all the best as he continues the interview process.”

Contact Nicholas Sewell at [email protected].