Temple University College of Health Professions and Social Work Dean Ron T. Brown has been appointed provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for Wayne State University in Detroit.  His appointment will begin on August 1, 2010.

“Ron is a thoughtful and dynamic leader who has embraced change in ways that have positioned Temple’s College of Health Professions and Social Work to thrive in coming years. He truly transformed the college so that now it is one of the best and most well-respected colleges of its type in the nation,” said Interim Provost Richard Englert.  “We will miss him, but are grateful for his many years of service to Temple.”

Brown has been dean of the College of Health Professions since 2004; and dean of the College of Health Professions and Social Work since 2009.  As a leading pediatric psychologist specializing in children and adolescents with chronic illnesses and learning disabilities, throughout his career Brown has received more than $10 million in research funding. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Society, the American Psychological Association, the Society of Pediatric Psychology and is a Diplomate in clinical health psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology.

“I am passionate about this university, its mission and its values, and I have been fortunate to have Ann Hart and Dick Englert as superb models for leadership,” said Brown.

“For me, my work here is the achievement of a lifetime. I have loved seeing the college grow and thrive.  I have great confidence in its future and I look forward to watching its progress in the years to come,” he added.

Some of Brown’s most significant accomplishments include overseeing the successful reorganization of the School of Social Administration and the College of Health Professions;  increasing enrollment to nearly 3,500 students; recruiting well-respected faculty; expanding the research portfolio to $20 million; recruiting top students for doctoral programs such as the Ph.D. in Public Heath; designing an innovative four-year nursing program; garnering national rankings for Communication Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Nursing and Physical Therapy; increasing the number of students taking jobs out of the region, and supporting major centers such as the Intergenerational Learning Center. 

During Brown’s tenure, the enhanced profile of the college helped to double capital campaign funding to $17 million and grow the college’s endowment to exceed $8 million.

As provost of Wayne State University, an urban research institution, he will oversee all aspects of teaching, learning and scholarship, as well as Student Affairs and a variety of student services.