Schwalm returns to School of Applied Arts & Sciences

January 12, 2007

MESA, Ariz. — Arizona State University announces the appointment of David Schwalm as the dean of School of Applied Arts & Sciences at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, replacing Glenn Irvin who was named vice provost for Academic Affairs at the Polytechnic campus, effective immediately. Schwalm is returning to familiar grounds as he served as the founding dean of the college, establishing it as the incubator for new programs at the Polytechnic campus in 1997. The college and programs have grown substantially since then, and as part of the university’s five-year plan, Schwalm will oversee the college’s continued transformation.<separator></separator> “Dr. Schwalm’s broad background and deep experience are a perfect fit for the needs of this college at this time,” said ASU Executive Vice President and University Provost Elizabeth Capaldi.<separator></separator> Since 1995, Schwalm has served in administrative roles as a founding administrator of ASU’s Polytechnic campus, establishing co-curricular arrangements with the Maricopa Community College District, building programs in School of Applied Arts & Sciences and helping set the general academic direction for the campus.<separator></separator> “Dr. David Schwalm has been a major player in the development of the Polytechnic program from its inception,” said Albert McHenry, ASU vice president and executive vice provost of the Polytechnic campus. “He has served as the leader of the academic interface with our partners and has been instrumental in conceptualizing and initiating the general education component of Poly’s academic program. Dr. Schwalm is a significant asset to our entire effort, and I am excited that he is here to carry on this critical work.”<separator></separator> Schwalm has worked on three of the four ASU campuses, starting out as an associate professor and director of composition in the English department in Tempe and later becoming the vice provost for Academic Programs at ASU’s West campus before coming to the Polytechnic campus as vice provost.<separator></separator> “I am really looking forward to returning to School of Applied Arts & Sciences to develop the existing programs and add new ones to increase the range and richness of educational opportunities for students at the Polytechnic campus. Glenn and I will continue to work together on this exciting endeavor,” said Schwalm. “ School of Applied Arts & Sciences will eventually become the home of programs and courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.”<separator></separator> During his professional career, he has held academic positions with the University of California at Berkeley, The Ohio State University, and the University of Texas at El Paso where he founded the West Texas Writing Project to promote improved teaching of writing in K-12 schools.<separator></separator> He is extremely well published in the areas of writing program administration and teaching writing and is the founder of WPA-L, an international Listserv discussion with over 2000 members involved in writing instruction and administration of writing programs.<separator></separator>He received his Ph.D. and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago and his bachelor’s degree from Carleton College.