Filed at 10:41 AM

Diane Gayeski, associate dean of faculty and a professor of strategic communication at Ithaca College, has been named interim dean of the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies for the 2008-09 academic year.

Gayeski will succeed Gregory Woodward, who will begin his post as dean of the School of Music on July 1. A search committee began looking for a new music dean last August when Arthur Ostrander, dean of the School of Music for 23 years, announced his plans to retire in May. Woodward was named his successor on March 31.

Gayeski said she feels honored to be awarded the position and is looking forward to working in the newly re-named division.

“It’s really exciting for me,” Gayeski said. “After working with the division in various capacities for almost twenty years now, it feels like getting to work with a group of old friends.”

Gayeski, a 1974 alumna of the Roy H. Park School of Communications, has lead strategic engagements for such clients as the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, MetLife and TAP Pharmaceuticals and has authored 14 books. She returned to her alma mater in 1979 after earning her masters’ and doctoral degrees in educational technology at the University of Maryland.

Though Gayeski said she has no specific plans yet, she hopes to help with ongoing division initiatives using her background in strategic planning. She said during her time as associate dean in the Park School, she has done some research into graduate work and thinks it will help further the college’s prominence and strength as an institution of higher education.

“While [the college] is really known for its excellence in undergraduate teaching … I think the graduate and professional studies division will grow into a strong asset for the college,” Gayeski said. “I think this is an area that especially requires a lot of creativity and entrepreneurship and I think the college has a lot of potential to expand in the graduate area.”

Gayeski said she will leave her associate dean position in the Park School to start her new position July 16. She said she will continue teaching in the Park School during the academic year. Gayeski also said she is unsure what will happen to her old position or if anyone will be hired to replace her.

Dianne Lynch, dean of the Park School, could not be reached for comment.