Green to become dean of Wesleyan

Allen Green, director of the University's African American Resource Center and assistant to the provost, will become dean of the college at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., July 1. "[The University has] been an exciting place to work," Green said. "[This is] the longest I've been at any institution since my undergraduate years. My family's been reared around Penn -- it's a home away from home." Green was offered the position early last month by Wesleyan President Bill Chace. Green was nominated for the Wesleyan deanship -- the school's third-ranking academic position -- by a colleague from another institution. Although he interviewed for a similar position at Haverford College last year, he did not seek employment since then. In late January, Green became one of three finalists for the deanship. After going to Wesleyan for a first round of meetings with administrators and students, he was invited back for another round of meetings in early February. Green was the only finalist asked to return for a third round of interviews, according to the Wesleyan Argus. During his visits to Wesleyan, Green said he tried to meet as many people as possible -- members of student organizations and student-faculty committees, the dean's staff and "officers of the institution." "The issues [I will face] on campus are the same -- diversity, civility, free speech," he said. Green said the positions he has held here have helped prepare him for the responsibilities he will assume at Wesleyan, where his work will cover all issues involving student life and services, as well as academic policy. At the University, his work has centered on creating a "nurturing, supportive" environment for students, in the dormitories, the classroom and finally through the African American Resource Center. "Having had the chance to work with a wide variety of issues and constituents all around campus has helped to increase awareness of African American issues," Green said. While his activities as dean of the college could be equated with those of the University's Vice Provost for University Life, Green said he also hopes to have a teaching appointment in the History Department at Wesleyan. But, he added, he will miss "the people" at the University the most. Green's appointment "is great for him, [but] it's terrible for us," said English Professor and Graduate Chair Rebecca Bushnell, director of the Commission. "I enjoyed working with him so much this year," she said, adding that Green's patience, wisdom and ability to work well with a variety of people were assets in the Commission's work. However, since the Commission has submitted its final report, Green's departure will have no effect on its recommendations or their implementation at the University, Bushnell said. Green's capacity to use the connections and knowledge he acquired throughout the course of his career here amazed Bushnell most, she said. "That's something that takes years to build up," she said.