The university has selected Janet Woodruff-Borden as the next dean of the Graduate School.

The professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Louisville also serves as associate dean for graduate education in the school’s College of Arts and Sciences.

“In Janet we have found a person who can further our goals for graduate education and continue to foster an environment where Oregon is considered a top destination for those seeking a graduate degree,” said Jayanth Banavar, provost and senior vice president.

After earning her doctorate in clinical psychology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Woodruff-Borden completed postdoctoral training at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh before joining the faculty at Louisville.

In the years following, Woodruff-Borden has served in several administrative roles, including director of the psychological services center and director of graduate studies for the clinical psychology doctoral program.

“An institution’s commitment to graduate education is an important metric in measuring the overall quality of its research initiatives,” Woodruff-Borden said. “It is clear that the University of Oregon has a deep commitment to graduate education and to creating meaningful opportunities for graduate students to work alongside amazing faculty members. I could not be more excited to take this step and join the academic community at the University of Oregon.”

Banavar said Woodruff-Borden has the right mix of skills and experience to move graduate education at the UO forward.

“Not only will Janet’s scholarship serve her well in leading the Graduate School, her rich academic administrative experience made her the obvious choice for this position,” he said. “She will bring a passion for meeting the needs of our graduate students and helping them be successful in their work.”

Woodruff-Borden will join the university this summer, permanently replacing Scott Pratt, who was chosen to serve as executive vice provost for academic affairs in July 2017. Sara Hodges has served as interim vice provost and dean of the graduate school since.

“Sara has brought great momentum to the Graduate School during the last year,” Banavar said. “Her contributions will have a lasting impact as we continue to emphasize the graduate student experience.”