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Cynthia Lietz named associate dean of public programs


Cynthia Lietz, associate dean with the College of Public Programs
June 11, 2014

Cynthia Lietz has been appointed associate dean for academic affairs for the College of Public Programs. Lietz is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and has been coordinator of the school’s Tucson campus the past two years.

“In both her teaching and research, Dr. Lietz demonstrates a commitment to the goals of our college, including student engagement in use-inspired research and practice,” says Jonathan Koppell, dean of the College of Public Programs.

The College of Public Programs is made up of the School of Community Resources and Development, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, School of Public Affairs and the School of Social Work. The college, located on the Downtown Phoenix campus, is also home to 16 research centers, including the Morrison Research Institute for Public Policy, Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Lietz has been with the School of Social Work since 2004. The past two years, she helped guide the expansion of the school’s Tucson program and helped with the launch of Tucson-based classes and degrees by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the School of Community Resources and Development. Lietz’s research focuses on family resilience, analyzing the strengths and processes used to effectively cope with stress and trauma. She also examines the use of strength-based practices to improve the quality and delivery of social services. Lietz was awarded the Associated Students of ASU Centennial Professor Award for 2012-2013.

“I can’t thank the faculty and staff in Tucson enough for their tremendous support over the past two years,” says Lietz. “The College of Public Programs has a bright future with many important and innovative initiatives. I look forward to the opportunity to support these efforts and feel honored to join a team of faculty and staff who work tirelessly to ensure the mission of the college is realized.”

In announcing the appointment of Lietz, Dean Koppell thanked Nancy Rodriguez and Kathy Andereck for serving the college as part-time associate deans during a critical time of growth. Rodriguez is an associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Anderek is a professor and director of the School of Community Resources and Development.

“Dr. Rodriguez made a terrific contribution focusing on student recruiting and engagement,” Koppell says. “Dr. Anderek shepherded through an enormous number of new academic programs in the past year, including new cross-college offerings, and will help finish this formidable task during the leadership transition.”

In her full-time role as associate dean for academic affairs, Lietz will be part of a leadership team that compliments and supports the directors of the college's four schools and 16 research centers. The college's leadership team includes Kevin Desouza, associate dean for research, and Dana Newell, assistant dean of student and academic affairs.