Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

CV of Dr. Karen L. Olmstead

Curriculum Vitae

Karen L. Olmstead, Ph.D.

Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Salisbury University

1101 Camden Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801-6860

410-548-3374 office

Education
University of Delaware / Entomology B.S./M.S. / 1981/1984
University of Maryland, College Park / Entomology Ph.D. / 1991
Professional Experience
Salisbury University / Interim Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dean, Henson School of Science and Technology
Professor of Biology / July 2017-present
July 2008-June 2017
University of South Dakota / Associate VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of The Graduate School
Director, University Honors and Undergraduate Studies
Professor of Biology
Chair of Biology
Program Director, HHMI-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Experimental Biology and Biometrics
Associate Professor (Tenured May 1997)
Associate Chair of Biology
Assistant Professor of Biology / July 2004-June 2008
July 2001-June 2004
July 2000-June 2008
Jan. 1999-July 2001
October 1994-2000
Aug. 1995- June 2000
June 1993-June 1998
August 1991-1995
U. of Delaware / Research Associate (Entomology) / 1983-1985
Major Leadership Responsibilities & Contributions
Interim Provost & VP of Academic Affairs (since July, 2017): Oversees the University’s four endowed schools (Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Henson School of Science & Technology, Perdue School of Business and Seidel School of Education & Professional Studies), Honors College, University Libraries, Center for International Education, Registrar and Graduate Studies & Research. She also is responsible for academic policy and budgeting, curriculum, faculty development, student advising and support, assessment, instructional technology, accreditation and University outreach including the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution and Delmarva Public Radio.
Dean, Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology at Salisbury University (9 years): Serve as chief academic officer for the Henson School supporting undergraduate and graduate programs in the sciences and health sciences (Biology, Applied Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Geography, GIS Management, Physics, Physics/Engineering, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Computer Science, Respiratory Therapy, Nursing, Nursing Practice, Applied Health Physiology, and Medical Lab Sciences). Led a major campus effort to increase the number of STEM majors and graduates through a NSF-supported grant program (served as PI). Since assuming position of Dean in 2008, STEM enrollments are up by nearly 40% and total Henson School enrollment is up by more than 30% compared to institutional growth of 11% (in the same time period, number of Henson School graduates increased by 40%). Supported development and implementation of new first doctoral degree offered on campus (Doctorate of Nursing Practice), new degree programs in Applied Biology (MS), Urban & Regional Planning (BS), and Earth Science (BS), and new Medical Simulation Center (largely funded through external grants and $1M naming gift). Responsible for Henson School budgets which annually exceed $19.75M and include state, grant, contract and SU Foundation funds and research centers including the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative. Routinely interface with community college partners, economic development organizations, and regional industry and R&D sector including NASA Wallops Flight Facility and affiliated organizations.
Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of The Graduate School at the University of South Dakota (USD)(4 years): Facilitated development of successful proposals for new doctoral programs (Computational Science and Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Political Science) and graduate certificate programs (Governor’s Leadership and Long-Term Care Administration); developed Graduate School Strategic Plan; significantly increased graduate student enrollment; developed and delivered Graduate TA Orientation Program; and initiated new information and communications structure for the Graduate School. Received Bush Foundation Grant ($450,000) for the improvement of undergraduate teaching and learning.
Director of University Honors and Undergraduate Programs (USD)(3 years): Facilitated major revision of sophomore Honors sequence and strengthened process and expectations for Honors theses. Raised national visibility of USD’s Honors Program through active participation in the National Collegiate Honors Council (member Science and Math Committee) and the Upper Midwest Honors Council (SD state representative). Supported USD President’s successful nomination for NCHC’s Presidential Leadership Award (2004) and outstanding nationally competitive scholarship wins by USD students. As Director of the Interdisciplinary Education and Action (IdEA) Program, led the development and implementation of the administrative structure of the program including curriculum development/delivery, assessment, funding (including several external awards), staffing, and establishment of the Student Action Office. As part of IdEA’s efforts to intellectually charge the campus, IdEA sponsored or co-sponsored many events including those with consultants from the Association for Integrative Studies and AAC&U.
Chair of Biology (USD) (2.5 years): Focused on increasing undergraduate research opportunities; strengthening faculty research programs and extramural funding; creating a sense of research culture among the graduate students; and modernizing the undergraduate curriculum. Also hired and developed start-up packages for new faculty; forged stronger relationship with Basic Biomedical Sciences Division of the USD School of Medicine; sought and secured funding to bring several high-caliber speakers to our campus; and increased Biology research and teaching infrastructure by securing funding for a cold room, laptops for teaching labs, and upgrading of biology computer lab.
Program Director of HHMI Undergraduate Research Program and Associate Chair of Biology (USD) (5 years): Responsible for $1.1M budget; facilitated 60 undergraduate research projects in nine academic departments; worked with faculty at Sinte Gleska University, Nebraska Indian Community College, and Oglala Lakota College on science outreach projects; established and served as faculty advisor to USD’s Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society; and facilitated the attendance of national conferences by many undergraduate and high school students. Primary departmental contact for development of a new Biology Computer Lab and HVAC upgrades for the building made possible through HHMI grant.
Refereed Publications (*undergraduate students, †graduate students)
Millikin, AR,† ME Jarchow, KL Olmstead, RE Krentz† & MD Dixon. 2016. Site preparation drives long-term plant community dynamics in restored tallgrass prairie: a case study in southeastern South Dakota. Environmental Management 58(4): 597-605.
Carlisle, JD,† KL Olmstead, CH Richart, and DL Swanson. 2012. Food availability, foraging behavior, and diet of autumn landbird migrants in the Boise Foothills of southwestern Idaho. The Condor 114(3): 1-13.
Britten, HB, AR MacClure,† AM Tyler,* AD Kattan* and KL Olmstead. 2003. Population genetic structure of Physonota helianthi (Randall) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in a fragmented landscape. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 96: 856-864.
Mabee, PM, KL Olmstead, & CC Cubbage. 2000. An experimental study of intraspecific variation, developmental timing and heterochrony in fishes. Evolution 54: 2091-2106.
Freund, RL† & KL Olmstead. 2000. The roles of vision and antennal olfaction in enemy avoidance by three predatory heteropterans. Environmental Entomology 29: 721-732.
Freund, RL† & KL Olmstead. 2000. The roles of vision and antennal olfaction in habitat and prey location by three predatory heteropterans. Environmental Entomology 29: 733-742.
Swanson, DL & KL Olmstead. 1999. Evidence for proximate influence of winter temperature on metabolism in passerine birds. Physiological Zoology & Biochemistry 72: 566-575.
Olmstead, KL, RF Denno, TC Morton, & JT Romeo. 1997. Influence of Prokelisia planthoppers on the amino acid composition and growth of Spartina alterniflora. Journal of Chemical Ecology 23: 303-321.
Olmstead, K.L. Cassidine Defences and Natural Enemies. 1996. In, P. Jolivet, M. Cox & T. Hsiao [eds.], Chrysomelidae Biology II. SPB Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. pp 1-19.
Olmstead, K.L. 1994. Waste Products as Chrysomelid Defences. In, P. Jolivet, E. Petit-pierre & M. Cox [eds.], Novel Aspects of the Biology of the Chrysomelidae. Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. pp. 311-318.
Graves, BM, CH Summers, & KL Olmstead. 1993. Sensory mediation of aggregation among postmetamorphic Bufo cognatus. Journal of Herpetology 27: 315-319.
Olmstead, KL & RF Denno. 1993. Effectiveness of tortoise beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larval shields against different predator species. Ecology 74: 1394-1405.
Olmstead, KL & RF Denno. 1992. Defense costs for tortoise beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Ecological Entomology 17: 237-243
Denno, RF, GK Roderick, KL Olmstead & HG Döbel. 1991. Density-related migration in planthoppers (Homoptera: Delphacidae): a test of the habitat persistence hypothesis. American Naturalist 138: 1513-1541.
Olmstead, KL & TK Wood. 1990. The effect of clutch size and ant attendance on egg guarding by Entylia bactriana (Homoptera: Membracidae). Psyche 97: 111-120.
Olmstead, KL & TK Wood. 1990. Altitudinal patterns in species richness of neotropical treehoppers (Homoptera: Membracidae): the role of ants. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 92: 552-560.
Wood, TK, KL Olmstead & SI Guttman. 1990. Insect phenology meditated by host-plant water relations. Evolution 44: 629-636.
Denno, RF, S Larsson & KL Olmstead. 1990. Role of enemy-free space and plant quality in host-plant selection by willow beetles. Ecology 71: 124-137.
Denno, RF, KL Olmstead, & ES McCloud. 1989. Reproductive cost of flight capability: a comparison of life history traits in wing dimorphic planthoppers. Ecological Entomology 14: 31-44.
Denno, RF, ME Schauff, SW Wilson & KL Olmstead. 1987. Practical diagnosis and natural history of two sibling salt marsh-inhabiting planthoppers in the genus Prokelisia (Homoptera: Delphacidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 89: 687-700.
Wood, TK & KL Olmstead. 1984. Latitudinal effects on treehopper species richness (Homoptera: Membracidae). Ecological Entomology 9: 109-115.
Invited Seminars/Panels/Workshops (since 2000)
PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Research Symposium and Professional Development Conference. Invited Panelist and Mentor. College Park, MD. February, 2017.
PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Summer Success Institute. Invited Mentor. Hanover, MD. August, 2016.
Envisioning the Future of Undergraduate STEM Education: Research and Practice. Symposium sponsored by AAAS & NSF. Working Group Facilitator. Washington, DC. April, 2016.
Associate & Assistant Deans: Positioning Oneself for and Transitioning into a Deanship. Workshop Panelist. Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences Annual Mtg. Washington, DC. November, 2015.
Mentor at PKAL Summer Leadership Institute for STEM Faculty. Frederick, MD. July, 2015.
STEM Central Leadership Workshop: Making Connection, Making a Difference. Co-sponsored by NSF, PKAL, AACU, and HHMI. Chevy Chase, MD. March, 2015.
STEM for a Sustainable Future Working Group (5 state, NSF-funded consortium). Annapolis, MD. November, 2014.
Don’t reinvent the wheel: partners and strategies to effectively manage your STEP project. NSF STEP Annual Mtg. Washington, DC. March, 2014.
STEM Education for a Sustainable Future (5 state, NSF-funded consortium). Long Beach, CA. November, 2013.
Working Smart: how to build, evaluate, and sustain a portfolio of strategies to increase STEM enrollments. NSF STEP Annual Mtg. Washington, DC. March, 2013.
Preparing for your third year review. NSF STEP Annual Mtg. Washington, DC. March, 2013.
Prairie restoration at Spirit Mound and other unanticipated adventures in science. University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD. October, 2012.
STEM@SU: A portfolio approach to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation of STEM majors. NSF STEP Central Webinar. October, 2012.
Deans and economic development. Panel moderator at Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences Annual Mtg. Montréal, Québec, Canada. November, 2011.
Next Generation Universities: the path to reinvention and transformation. Panelist at Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences Annual Meeting, Montréal, Québec, Canada. November, 2011.
Facilitator at MADE-CLEAR Climate Change Education Summit. Adelphi, MD. September, 2011.
The Education Challenge: High school and college students in a high-tech future. Invited panelist, Community Leaders Workshop (Mid-Delmarva, hosted by the Greater Salisbury Committee Foundation), May 2009.
Recruiting STEM majors into teaching/alternative pathways into STEM teaching. Invited panelist at USM STEM Symposium. Adelphi, MD. April, 2009.
The ecology and evolution of waste-based defense in tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Hispinae) and other tales. Invited seminar, Department of Biology, Salisbury University, March 2009.
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie Restoration. Spirit Mound Bicentennial Celebration. Vermillion, SD. August, 2004.
Journey to Democracy at the University of South Dakota. Co-presenter with D. Dahlin at Annual Mtg. of the Association of American Colleges and University. Washington, DC. January 2004.
Ecological and evolutionary constraints on the evolution of larval defense in tortoise beetles. Invited speaker in Populations, Species, and Phylogenies: Evolution in Insect-Plant Systems a symposium held at the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Cincinnati, OH. October, 2003.
The ecology and evolution of waste-based defense in tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). University of Delaware, Newark, DE. October 2001.
The ecology and evolution of waste-based defenses in tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX. February 2000.
Papers & Posters Presented at Meetings (*undergraduate students, †graduate students since 2000)
Science thinking throughout the curriculum. Co-organizer and panelist at Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences Annual Mtg. Jacksonville, FL. November, 2013.
Creative strategies for increasing access and maintaining quality in an uncertain economic environment. Panel organizer and moderator. Panel organizer and moderator at Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences Annual Mtg. New Orleans, LA. November, 2010.
Strategies for productive relationships between the College of A&S and the Graduate School. Panel organizer and moderator at Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences Annual Mtg. Baltimore, MD. November, 2009.
Challenges and rewards of integrating interdisciplinary studies and student action. Presented at the Annual Mtg. of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. San Francisco, CA. January, 2005.
Monitoring the success of a prairie restoration: Spirit Mound Historic Prairie. Poster presented with RE Vote† and A Horner* at SD-NSF EPSCoR Conference. Rapid City, SD. September, 2004.
Monitoring the success of a prairie restoration: Spirit Mound Historic Prairie. Poster presented with RE Vote† and A Horner* at SD-NSF EPSCoR Conference. Sioux Falls, SD. August, 2004.
Monitoring the success of a prairie restoration: Spirit Mound Historic Prairie. Poster presented with RE Vote† at the North American Prairie Conference. Madison, WI. August, 2004.
Hand-held connections for first-year students. Paper presented with S. Hackemer at the Annual Mtg. of the National Collegiate Honors Council. Chicago, IL. November, 2003.
Arthropod and fruit availability for autumn migrants in Idaho: preliminary results. Co-author of poster presented by JD Carlisle† at the Cooper Ornithological Society, Albuquerque, NM. April, 2001.
Stopover habitat distribution of autumn landbird migrants in southwestern Idaho. Co-author of paper presented by JD Carlisle† & DL Swanson at the Cooper Ornithological Society, Albuquerque, NM. April, 2001.