Sonia Alemagno, Kent State professor of Health Policy and Management and interim associate dean for the College of Public Health, will succeed John West as interim vice president for research. She will begin her newly appointed position on July 1.

“I’m looking forward to assisting in any way possible,” Alemagno said.

She explained that because it is an interim position, she will likely hold it for a year or less while someone else is found.

The vice president for research oversees Kent State’s Division of Research and Sponsored Programs, said Emily Vincent, university media relations director. This means Alemagno will be responsible for securing grants and directing research programs, Vincent said.

Alemagno was hired by Kent State in 2009 to assist in developing the programs for the College of Public Health, a new college at the university. She has also held positions at the University of Akron and at Case Western Reserve University.

She has earned several awards and has a master’s in sociology from Kent State and a doctorate in medical sociology from Case Western.

Contact administration reporter Nick Glunt at [email protected].