MSU taps interim dean to succeed retiring leader

Missouri State University installed an interim dean to lead the College of Arts and Letters.

Shawn Wahl, head of MSU’s communications department since 2012, will step into the interim position July 1. He’ll serve two years as the university conducts a national search to find Gloria Galanes’ permanent replacement, according to a news release.

Galanes is scheduled to retire July 1 after holding the top COAL job since 2012 and working for MSU since 1986.

Wahl’s goals include recruiting and retaining students, as well as making MSU a destination campus, he said in the release.

“We’ll continue to expand and build on the foundation that’s made the college what it is today,” Wahl said in the release of COAL, which comprises 45 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs.

The school also is seeking an interim communications department head who would hold that position for two years as well.