Politics Prof. James R. Sofka announced Monday in an e-mail sent to all current Echols Scholars that he would be succeeded as dean and director of the Echols program by Associate Dean Richard Handler.
The change is effective as of this semester.
"There was a transfer in the Echols program," Sofka said. "I will miss the opportunity to be so involved in the programming and advising for some of the University's finest students."
In the e-mail, Sofka said he realized the "changeover was sudden and unexpected for everyone."
Responding to inquiries regarding the change, Sofka wrote that "the transition was requested by [College] Dean [Edward L.] Ayers."
Sofka will return to teaching full time in the politics department.
"I hope the program has a good foundation in terms of its organization, programming and finances," he said. "The program is a great gift to the University."
He has worked with the Echols program since 2002.
According to Handler, the change was largely the result of "practical reorganization."
Since arriving at the University in 1986, Handler has taught in the anthropology department and has served as associate dean for academic programs in the College.
Handler said he expected a further change in the program.
Currently, the dean and director of the program is responsible for the long-term organization, as well as the day-to-day advising program for Echols Scholars.
In the future, according to Handler, the director of the program may be responsible for overseeing the long-term planning of the program, while a separate Echols association dean would be responsible for advising the approximately 800 scholars on a daily basis.
"I've enjoyed meeting the Echols Scholars over the past few days," Handler said. "Echols is an important component of the undergraduate College."
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