Regional Science prof to head grad education

In a move which brings a recommendation of the Provost's Working Group on Graduate Education one step closer to fruition, Regional Science Professor Janice Madden has been named the first Vice Provost of Graduate Education. The appointment was immediately hailed by graduate students and administrators alike as a boon to graduate education at the University. Madden, currently the director of the Women's Studies Program and the undergraduate chairperson for the Regional Science department, said last night that she was "very pleased by the challenge" the new position would offer when she enters it on July 1. As part of her responsibilities in the new post, Madden will oversee and advise the provost on all aspects of graduate programs and graduate student education. The new post includes additional administrative duties as chairperson to both the Graduate Council of Faculties and the Graduate Council of Deans. Madden defined the new position's challenge as helping graduate students "get their Ph.Ds, get them quickly, and get placed in good jobs." According to Regional Science graduate student Laura Huntoon, whose graduate dissertation work is overseen by Madden, the professor has always stressed the importance of not lingering in graduate school longer than necessary, a goal she said is shared by graduate program administrators. Huntoon said Madden has good ideas for incentives that should help students achieve their aims quickly and focus on their research goals, as well as preparing them for future work in research and education. "She's very attuned to how to be a researcher, how to become a good teacher," Huntoon said. Huntoon, who has also taken two of Madden's classes and served as a teaching assistant for others, added that she has been equally impressed with Madden's productivity. "[In comparison,] sometimes I feel that I'm slogging along at microspeed," she said. Several administrators last night also expressed great enthusiasm for the Madden's appointment to the newly-created post. "It's a great thing for the University," Regional Science Chairperson Ralph Ginsberg said last night. Ginsberg said Madden is an internationally known researcher for her work on urban labor markets and issues of sexual and racial discrimination in the labor force. He added that Madden has had an excellent relationship with her students during her 19 years at the University. "She's someone who has a serious interest in graduate education," Ginsberg added. "She's concerned about higher education and she's very supportive of students." Madden, an economist by training, has written three books and overseen numerous programs exploring issues of labor discrimination in urban marketplaces in general and in Philadelphia in particular. Her work has included consulting positions with the Justice Department and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Madden's term as director of the Women's Studies Program will end immediately before her new responsibilities as vice provost begin. She said she has "greatly enjoyed" serving as the program's director, particularly in organizing a capital campaign which she hopes will make the program "secure within the University forever."

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