James Pappas, OU's vice president for University Outreach, will retire from the university effective December 2016.
Pappas, who has served as the dean of the College of Liberal Studies since 1987, is the longest-serving dean in OU history. Pappas is also responsible for quadrupling the total number of student enrollments to University Outreach programs, tripling the amount of grant funding received and increasing the national rankings and recognition of the College of Liberal Studies, according to a press release from OU Public Affairs.
"Jim Pappas has provided outstanding leadership during his over 30 years at OU,” OU President David Boren said in the release. “He has greatly strengthened the university outreach effort. We can never adequately express our appreciation to him."
Belinda Biscoe, the current associate vice president for University Outreach, Public and Community Services, will be appointed as the interim vice president for University Outreach, according to the release. Her appointment is pending approval of the OU Board of Regents. Biscoe also serves as the executive director of the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies, according to the release.
