Dr. Kristine Billmyer Leaving LPS Post

Kristine Billmyer, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Continuing Education and Executive Director of the University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS), will be leaving LPS in mid-September to take the position of Dean of the School of Continuing Education at Columbia University.

Since becoming Associate Dean in 2005, Dr. Billmyer has led a renaissance in LPS marked by the reinvigoration of existing undergraduate and master's programs, the development of new academic offerings that feature innovative curricula and formats, and the forging of new partnerships across Penn and around the world. The change in name last year from the College of General Studies to the College of Liberal and Professional Studies marked the culmination of this evolution.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for Kristine, one that I know she will take on with the same vision, energy and commitment to academic excellence that she  has demonstrated during her 27 years at Penn," says Rebecca Bushnell, Dean of Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences. "It is these same attributes, however, that make her departure a great loss for SAS." 

Until the School identifies permanent leadership for LPS, Nora Lewis, currently the LPS Director of Enrollment Management, will assume the role of Interim Executive Director, reporting to Dennis DeTurck, Dean of the College. She will undertake these duties in mid-September.