Sandra N. Hurd, chair and professor of Law & Public Policy in Syracuse University's School of Management and SU's faculty coordinator for learning communities, has been named interim dean of the school. She will take the position July 1, leading the school until the appointment of a successor to current Dean George R. Burman, who will resign June 30.
"I picked Sandy because she is very well respected inside the School of Management, as evidenced by her multiple nominations for the interim deanship, and outside the School of Management, as evidenced by the fact that she knows literally everyone on campus," says Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund. "I admire her organizational skills and her pragmatism, and I love her devotion to our students. I know she will keep things in very good shape and work to improve the school during the next year."
Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw is also enthusiastic about the choice of Hurd. "During my time here, I have observed Sandy's involvement in a large number of our more successful innovations. I am pleased that she is willing to step forward again to help her school and her University," says Shaw.
"The School of Management is extremely fortunate to have outstanding faculty, staff and students who demonstrate every day their talent, creativity, integrity and commitment," says Hurd. "I am very much looking forward to working with all of them as we continue to build on our teaching and research excellence, improve our programs and position ourselves for the future."
Hurd received her bachelor's degree in English from Wells College in 1970 and her J.D. from SU's College of Law in 1975. From 1975-1981, she worked as a law clerk for Ormand N. Gale, senior judge in Onondaga County Court. In 1976, she also started working as an adjunct instructor in the School of Management's Department of Law & Public Policy, and was hired as an assistant professor in 1981. She was promoted to associate professor in 1985 and to full professor in 1997. She has chaired her department since 1990.
Hurd participated in the development of the School of Management's freshman gateway course in 1991, and took over as its director in 1995. She was named faculty coordinator for learning communities in 2000. With Ruth Stein, of SU's Center for Support of Teaching and Learning, Hurd wrote "Building and Sustaining Learning Communities: The Syracuse University Experience," which is forthcoming from Anker Publishing. She also wrote the article "Building a Foundation: Gateway Courses Prepare Freshmen for the Major, College Life, and Careers," for the AAHE Bulletin's October 2002 issue.
Hurd's primary area of research has been international product liability and safety. Her publications on the topic have appeared in such journals as the American Business Law Journal, the Journal of Legislation, the International Journal of Technology Management, the Maryland Journal of International Law and Trade and the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Economic Law.
She was named a master teacher by the Academy of Legal Studies in Business in 1993 and is a member of the SU Gateway Fellowship. She received the School of Management Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000, the Tankersley Leadership Award in 2001 and the Chancellor's Citation for Outstanding Contributions to the University's Academic Programs in 2001.
