UCGIS President-Elect Robert McMaster, chair of the department of geography at the University of Minnesota, has been appointed Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education by the Provost and Board of Regents.

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 11/28/2007 ) -- University of Minnesota Provost Thomas Sullivan announced today that he will recommend to the Board of Regents the appointment of Robert McMaster as the new Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education. McMaster comes from the department of geography, where he served as chair of the department. He replaces Craig Swan, who is retiring next month.

"Professor McMaster, through his accomplished academic career and highly respected administrative role in the College of Liberal Arts, has proven himself an excellent educational leader," said Sullivan. "He will continue the exceptional efforts in improving the undergraduate experience as this great university propels itself to new heights."

McMaster will report directly to provost Sullivan on all undergraduate academic education issues. He will provide academic leadership by coordinating and supporting the efforts of the colleges, departments and other academic units to set and achieve their undergraduate academic goals.

"At the core of the university are its undergraduate students," said McMaster. "I am honored to continue to bring that education experience in a direction that will help us attract and retain the best students while creating a program that will graduate students who will go on to become capable leaders, life-long learners and responsible global citizens."

McMaster received his doctorate in geography and meteorology from the University of Kansas in 1983 and continued his career as an academic through the University of California, Los Angeles and Syracuse University. He has received numerous awards in his field and serves on a variety of association boards including the president elect of the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science.

In 1990 he arrived at the University of Minnesota and, in addition to his position in the department of geography, is on the faculty of the Conservation Biology Program. He also served as associate dean for planning in the College of Liberal Arts.