The College of Business Administration announced Thursday that Kathryn S. Wilson will replace Robert (Yank) Heisler as the interim dean for the school.

According to Frederick Schroath, associate dean for the College of Business Administration, Heisler plans to retire and step down from his position by Sept. 30. Wilson is expected to serve as interim dean for about a year as the provost searches for a permanent replacement.

“Because there is still a search for a new provost, we need to wait to look for a permanent dean for the college,” Schroath said.

Wilson has been involved with the faculty at Kent State for 15 years. Schroath said Wilson served as interim associate dean in the past. Wilson taught primarily economics courses and performed research related to poverty and inequality.

Schroath said Wilson will be responsible for all of the college’s programs and financial resources with her new position. Wilson wrote in an email that she plans to help prepare the college as it will be accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business next school year. She also said she hopes to increase the number of internship and study abroad opportunities for students in the program.

“This will be an important year for the college given all we hope to accomplish,” Wilson wrote in an email. “It will be necessary that we transition to Heisler to (myself) without losing a beat.”

Contact Megan Wilkinson at [email protected].