Berea College President Larry Shinn has announced the appointment of Chad Berry as the college’s academic vice president (AVP) and dean of the faculty. Berry replaces Dr. Stephanie Browner, who has accepted a position as dean at The New School for Liberal Arts in New York City. Berry will assume this position August 15, 2011.
Berry joined Berea College in 2006, when he was appointed director of the college’s Loyal Jones Appalachian Center. He also received a teaching appointment as the Goode Professor of Appalachian Studies and became professor of history.
“Now more than ever, it is an exciting time to be at Berea College, as the college continues to address educational needs from Appalachia to Afghanistan,” Berry said. “I am tremendously honored and humbled by this challenge, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure all Berea students have the highest quality education possible.”
“Chad Berry brings a rich academic and administrative background to the AVP and dean’s position, which is responsible for the overall strength of Berea’s academic programs and support services,” said Shinn.
Berry received his bachelor’s degree in American studies from the University of Notre Dame, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He holds a master’s degree in folk studies from Western Kentucky University and a doctorate in United States history with a minor in Southern African history from Indiana University.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities and work as director of both the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center and the Center for Excellence in Learning Through Service (CELTS) at Berea College, Berry served on the Labor Program Council, the faculty promotion and tenure committee, and the Scenario Planning Task force that developed strategic responses to the global financial crisis that would reduce costs yet maintain the college’s core mission and enhance educational opportunities for students in the 21st century.