Aug. 30, 2007 — Lynda Phillips-Madson has been named interim dean of the University of Virginia's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, effective Sept. 1.

Phillips-Madson, who has served for the past six years as associate dean for academic affairs, takes the reins from Sondra Stallard, who is departing to become the 13th president of Strayer University. Stallard joined U.Va. in 1975 and had led the SCPS since1996.

"Ms. Phillips-Madson is an extraordinarily talented person with tremendous experience in education. We are fortunate that she has agreed to take this role," said Dr. Arthur Garson Jr., executive vice president and provost. Phillips-Madson will report to Garson during her term, until a permanent dean is in place following a national search.

"I am delighted to serve as interim dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies," said Phillips-Madson. "Sondra Stallard was a true champion at U.Va. for equity and access. As dean of SCPS she was determined to see that adult students would have not only access, but true opportunity and a rigorous academic experience.”

"We at SCPS look forward to continuing our commitment to excellent academic outreach and to ongoing collaboration with other schools and colleges of the University to deliver graduate education, both on Grounds and within our network of six additional academic centers throughout the Commonwealth.”

"Ms. Phillips-Madson will be responsible for sustaining the school's progress and for ensuring continued excellence in its academic programs," said University President John T. Casteen III. "With her considerable professional experience and her proven ability as an administrator, she is well prepared to assume these responsibilities."

"Though we will miss Sondra, she put together, and leaves behind, a strong leadership team that will continue to move SCPS forward,” said Phillips-Madson. “I am fortunate to work with so many outstanding colleagues and look forward to a year full of challenge and opportunity."

A graduate of Berea College in Kentucky, Phillips-Madson earned her Ph.D. in 1974 from Ohio University, in psychology and communication studies.  She completed post-doctoral studies in Iowa, at Boston University, Harvard, and, later, at Vanderbilt University, where she served on the faculty for 10 years and became associate dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management.

Her post-doctoral studies included work in clinical psychology, statistics, behavioral medicine, organizational management and industrial engineering. After Vanderbilt, she gained tenure in the school of business at Pennsylvania State University in 1992, and served as director of academic affairs for Penn State, overseeing the graduate campus in Philadelphia.

Phillips-Madson came to the University of Virginia in 2001 as a professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Before coming to U.Va., she was associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, and then interim vice chancellor, for the Tennessee Board of Regents System of Higher Education, the public university and community college system of Tennessee. Phillips-Madson started her teaching career at the University of Delaware as an instructor in the cross-disciplinary humanities program.

Today, at the University of Virginia, Phillips-Madson continues her career in cross-disciplinary teaching, research and administration. Among many activities that she enjoys at U.Va., helping to advise students in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program ranks as one of her favorites. 

“I watch adult students in the BIS Program come to the University, dreaming of being here, but unsure that they can succeed.  Then I see them not only meet U.Va. standards, but also do well, and I am grateful to be part of a school and a university that offers such an opportunity!”