Speaker Biographies
New Department Chair Orientation
Friday, September 27
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Room 3505, Memorial Union
Pamela Anthony, Dean of Students
Pamela Anthonyhas served as Dean of Students ( at Iowa State University since August 1, 2012. The Dean of Students Office at Iowa State University supports student-centered learning through personal, community, and academic development culminating in a transformative learning experience. Dr. Anthony was formerly assistant dean of students at Georgia State University, in Atlanta. Previously, she was the director of student activities at Spelman College, also in Atlanta, and held two positions at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks: coordinator of multicultural affairs and area coordinator of residence life. She has extensive experience in student crisis intervention, judicial affairs, student activities, and Greek life. She can be contacted at 1010 Student Services, 515-294-1022 (phone), 515-294-5670 (fax), and (email).
Kristi Darr, Director, University Human Resources
As Director of University Human Resources( Kristi Darr addresses issues involving employee and labor relations and workers’compensation. Major functional areas that she deals with include disciplinary actions; dispute resolution; exit questionnaires; family and medical leave; grievances;Merit staff organized under the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees;Professional and Scientific staff; performance management; policy development and interpretation; reductions in force; unemployment processing; andworker’s compensation. She can be reached at 3210 Beardshear Hall, 515-294-3753 (phone), and (email).
Paul Tanaka, University Counsel
As University Counsel, Paul Tanaka addresses issues related to university policies and procedures and faculty personnel. The Office of University Counsel( provides legal advice and services to Iowa State University. It serves as legal advisor to the University and its various departments and oversees policy development for the University, including legal advice to university administrators and managers; assistance in drafting or reviewing contracts and other legal documents; assistance in drafting or reviewing university policies, guidelines, and procedures; representation of university units in internal administrative proceedings; representation in matters pending before state and federal agencies; information about legal rules being considered for adoption by the Board of Regents affecting Iowa State University; assistance with securing of specialized legal expertise for university departments; coordination with, and support of, the Iowa Department of Justice or private counsel handling university matters in litigation; and training programs related to legal issues.Paul can be reached at 3550 Beardshear Hall, 515-294-5352 (phone), 515-294-1799 (fax), and (email).
Pamela White, Dean of the College of Human Sciences
Pamela Whitecurrently serves as Dean of the College of Human Sciences ( and is University Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. At ISU, she received the Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research in 1999, the Regents Faculty Excellence Award in 2000, and was awarded the title of University Professor in 2001. From her professional associations, she was awarded the American Association of Cereal Chemists International Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001, the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) Bailey Award for Recognition of Outstanding Research in Fats and Oils in 2002, and was named Fellow of the AOCS in 2004. From the Institute of Food Technologists, she received the 2009 Stephen S. Chang Research and Development Award for significant research and development contributions to the understanding of food science, food technology, or nutrition, and the 2010 Food Chemistry Division Lecturer Award. Dean White can be reached at E262 Lagomarcino Hall, 515-294-5380 (phone), and (email).
Veronica Dark, Faculty Senate President
Veronica Dark is President of ISU’s Faculty Senate ( and a professor of Psychology. The Faculty Senate represents the general faculty of Iowa State University and participates in shared governance of the University with the administration. It is made up of 82 representatives elected by the general faculty, and divided into caucuses representing each of the seven colleges. The Faculty Senate has legislative responsibility for general academic and educational policy, serving to facilitate communication among faculty, students, and administration. It also cooperates with the administration in conflict resolution, and advises the administration on budgetary and other policy matters.The Faculty Senate conducts its business through a system of five councils (Academic Affairs, Faculty Development and Administrative Relations, Faculty Governance, Judiciary and Appeals, and Resource Policies and Allocations) and their committees. The Executive Board of the Faculty Senate consists of the chairs of the five councils, the chairs of the seven college caucuses, and the officers of the Senate. Dr. Dark’s research addresses attention and working memory, which comprise that part of the human information processing system concerned with current interactions with the environment including perception and selection and memory and decision making as they relate to the current task and current state of awareness. She can be reached at 374 Science I, 515-294-1688 (phone), and (email).
Mack Shelley, Faculty Fellow in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost
As Faculty Fellow for Department Chair Professional Development in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost ( Dr. Shelley works to provide professional development opportunities for new and continuing department chairs, as well as associate/assistant chairs, associate/assistant deans, and equity advisors. He is University Professor of Statistics, Political Science, and School of Education. He has served as acting department chair, vice chair, Director of the Research Institute for Studies in Education, and a member of the Dean’s Team in the College of Education (later the College of Human Sciences). He is the elected president of the ISU chapter of the American Association of University Professors. He can be reached at 1550 Beardshear Hall, 515-230-1664 (phone), and (email).