Meet the people of the Dean's Office

Robert Elde was named dean of the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences in October, 1995.  As Dean, Bob works to improve the quality of education and research at the College, and to apply research to enhance human health, the environment, and agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. 

Please contact Cindy Lawson if you would like to meet with Dean Elde.

Tom Hays focuses on aligning the CBS research mission with faculty and graduate student research. Responsibilities include strategic planning, research funding, infrastructure priorities, graduate program initiatives, graduate recruitment, collegiate faculty searches, and approval of CBS faculty grant submissions (Proposal Routing Forms approvals). Hays, professor of genetics, cell biology and development (GCD), represents GCD and the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics.

Please contact Katie Hoffman if you would like to meet with Tom.

Jean serves as CBS representative to University-wide initiatives to improve the undergraduate student experience.  She coordinates the CBS Scholarship program and facilitates the Career Planning for Biologists course.  Contact Jean with questions relating to:

• CBS curriculum, e.g. course development, course scheduling, freshman seminars
• Academic integrity
• CBS Scholarships
• Awards - Morse, Tate, Graduate, Anderson, Dagley-Kirkwood

As Executive Assistant to Dean Elde, Cindy supports the Dean in his mission to ensure the highest quality education for our students and enable the College of Biological Sciences to produce world-class research. While providing administrative and scheduling organization for the Dean, Cindy also oversees the office operations. In addition, Cindy assists with the management of University Awards for CBS Faculty and Staff.

Please contact Cindy if you have any requests involving Dean Elde.

 

As the assessment specialist focused on the HHMI grant, Richard is responsible for assisting faculty with defining and implementing assessment mechanisms in courses with HHMI grant-related objectives, supporting the definition, implementation and assessment of innovative teaching and learning strategies, and defining, implementing, and generating reports on HHMI grant-related assessment mechanisms (e.g., surveys, analysis of student records).

Feel free to contact Richard if you have projects or questions related to assessment.

Peggy plans communications to gain support for CBS goals within key audiences, such as the CBS-University community, alumni/donors, students, the legislature and taxpayers. Emphases include science writing, media relations, event promotion, messages from the dean and legislative relations. Contact Peggy to:

• Discuss a news release.
• Promote a new program or an event.
• Suggest a story or provide feedback on communications.

As Director of Development, Laurie is responsible for all alumni relations and fundraising activities in the college.  Contact Laurie with questions about:

• Alumni activities
• Making a gift to CBS

Jean Marie serves as support staff to Laurie Hennen, Director of Development and External Relations and Robin Wright, Associate Dean for CBS.  Additionally Jean Marie coordinates CBS elections, TA award nominations and oversees CBS funds and fund balances at the University of Minnesota Foundation.  Contact Jean Marie with questions regarding:

• Gifts to CBS
• Pletcher Fellowship awards
• Meeting with Laurie Hennen and Robin Wright

As finance director, Andrea  is responsible for creation and oversight of the collegiate budget.  Additionally, she analyzes financial, student, space and human resources data to inform strategic decision making.  Contact Andrea with questions about:

• Budget issues
• Data requests

As an Accountant for CBS, Kay serves as a procurement specialist, receiving and reviewing requests for changes to or cancellation of orders, overseeing CPS and amendment processes and controls, and processing receiving information for assets.  Additionally, Kay processes journal entries for the CBS cluster, handles expense reimbursements and departmental deposits.  Contact Kay with questions regarding:

• Procurement requests, errors, expeditions
• Expense reimbursements
• Historical salary adjustments

As Executive Accounts Specialist, Janet processes invoices for the college.  Additionally, she can assist with purchase requistions as needed.  Contact Janet with questions regarding:

• Billing invoices
• Requistions

Nicole is the first point of contact for all HR and payroll concerns. She can assists with hiring, offer letters, promotions, disciplinary action, HR reporting, training and development and payroll concerns.  Contact Nicole with:

• New Hires/Terminations
• Payroll Issues
• General HR questions

As Associate Director of IT, Craig is responsible for leading the Information Technology department and managing its service portfolio. Finding and developing innovative new technology solutions for research, education and the day to day work of CBS is the core of what Craig does. Contact Craig with questions and suggestions regarding:

•    Research computing
•    Web services
•    Ideas for technology enriched services

As the CBS-IT Helpdesk Manager, Marianne is responsible for the supervision of CBS-IT's Student technicians.  Additionally, she oversees the quality and consistency of service of the College's Helpdesk, as well as recommending and implementing software and hardware solutions for Faculty and Staff.  Contact Marianne:

• To consult with you about the technology services and solutions that will meet your needs
• To provide feedback on CBS-IT's customer service.
• To meet about hardware or software purchases.