A new dean has been appointed for the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
David Rudd, a professor in psychology and psychiatry at Texas Tech University, will become the deanon July 1. This comes about one year after current Dean Steve Ott announced his resignation from the position, which he has held for 10 years.
“He will be a phenomenal addition,” Ott said. “He really impressed the searching committee and stood out among any other candidate.”
Along with serving as chairman of psychology at Texas Tech, Rudd has served as a consultant at organizations such as the United States Air Force, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Beijing Suicide Prevention and Research Center, according to a U press release. He has a pending research grant involving treatment of suicidal soldiers with the Department of Defense. Congress has twice brought him to Washington, D.C., to testify on issues related to veteran suicide, according to the press release.
Ott expects that Rudd will bring a lot more to the college from the connections he’s made in his fields of expertise, he said. Rudd’s research has focused on suicide, therapy and the ethics of psychology.
Ott will spend his newfound time directing the Institute of Public and International Affairs and the Center for Public Policy and Administration. He will also continue teaching.
Rudd could not be reached for comment.
Michael McFall contributed to this story.
David Rudd