Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund today announced the appointment of Diane Lyden Murphy as dean of SU's College of Human Services and Health Professions (HSHP), effective July 1.
"Diane is one of the most impressive leaders I know," says Freund. "She is very creative and is an expert at harnessing the talents of people of multiple perspectives and differing life experiences for the benefit of students and scholarship. I truly am delighted that she was willing to contribute to her alma mater in taking on the deanship."
"I am pleased to have this opportunity to work with unique, talented and dedicated faculty, staff and alumni who share the common goals of social justice and social responsibility for the betterment of society," says Murphy. "It is an important time for the college and for our collective work as we engage ourselves and our students with critical social issues, both national and transnational."
Murphy succeeds Bruce W. Lagay, who will retire as dean at the end of July. The two will work closely together during the next several weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
Murphy has been a member of SU's social work faculty since 1978 and also served as director of the Women's Studies Program in The College of Arts and Sciences from 1989 to 2005.
As a consultant to former Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw on women's issues, Murphy co-authored the University's policy on sexual harassment; initiated a gender pay equity study; spearheaded University-wide Affirmative Action training; established spousal partnership hiring initiatives; and helped to develop adoption benefits, domestic partner policies and a family-friendly University-wide benefits program. She also contributed to the development of the Syracuse University Daycare Center and the R.A.P.E. Center, and co-founded the SU Senate Committee on Women's Issues.
As director of the Women's Studies Program, Murphy led the Women's Studies Faculty Advisory Board in the development of the academic program, including a major, minor, senior thesis project and graduate certificate of advanced studies; wrote the program's first promotion and tenure document; and oversaw the hiring of tenured faculty members.
She is a faculty associate with the School of Education's Disability Studies Program, Facilitated Communication Institute and Center on Human Policy, and the Maxwell School's Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts. She is also a faculty consultant to the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program and chair of the University Senate Committee on Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Professional Ethics, and served as co-chair of the Senate Committee on Women's Issues. She has worked with the Graduate School's Future Professoriate and Future Faculty programs.
In 2005, the Women's Studies Program established the Diane Lyden Murphy Women's Studies Activism Award in her honor. The award is given to outstanding women's studies students in their senior year. Murphy is the recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award from SU's Graduate School; the Francis McMillan Parks Women Of Influence Award from the Office of Residential Life; a Chancellor's Citation; and several other awards and honors.
She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology, a master of social work degree, a master's degree in social science, and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary social science, all from Syracuse University.
The College of Human Services and Health Professions brings together Syracuse University's professional programs in Child and Family Studies, Hospitality Management, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nutrition, Social Work and Sport Management in an environment of cross-disciplinary teaching, research, practice and service. Through classroom learning and hands-on experience, students in the college are prepared to become professionals who will provide the services that enhance the emotional and physical well-being of individuals, families and communities.
