FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — Janice S. Blum, Chancellor’s Professor in the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, has been selected as the associate vice chancellor for graduate education at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and associate dean of the University Graduate School, Indiana University, pending approval by the IU Board of Trustees, said Nasser Paydar, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer at IUPUI.
“We are delighted that Dr. Blum will be leading our efforts to increase IUPUI’s capacity for graduate education, a critical element of IUPUI’s strategic plan,” Paydar said. “Through her experience and abilities, Dr. Blum is exceptionally well-qualified to advance graduate education on our campus in collaboration with IUPUI’s schools and with the University Graduate School.”
In her new role, Blum will play a key role in leading campus efforts to develop tomorrow’s intellectual leaders and scholars through greater opportunities in graduate education, particularly doctorate and interprofessional programs.
As associate vice chancellor, Blum’s responsibilities will include fostering graduate program development, shepherding proposals through the review process and assisting in the development of programs on the IUPUI campus. As associate dean, she will provide leadership for student recruitment, admissions, university-wide fellowships, transfer credit, thesis proposals, dissertation committees, student diversity, student academic standing and student affairs.
“Janice brings a wealth of experience working with graduate students and has proven to have a passion for graduate education,” said James Wimbush, Indiana University vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs and dean of the University Graduate School. “We are pleased she has accepted this important role because she will continue to enhance IU graduate programs, particularly at IUPUI.”
Recruited to IUPUI in 1995 as an associate professor, Blum has a long-standing interest in graduate education and mentoring that extends well beyond the boundaries of her department in the School of Medicine. As director of National Institutes of Health-sponsored training programs, she has actively followed national trends and policy issues related to graduate education and mentoring.
“Graduate and professional students make significant contributions to many new discoveries, creative ventures and community engagement on our campus,” Blum said. “I look forward to working with faculty, students, Executive Vice Chancellor Paydar, Dean Wimbush and our local partners to move to a new level as innovators in graduate education, and to increase international and local recognition of the outstanding graduate programs at IUPUI.”
Blum received her doctorate degree in biochemistry in 1984 from Duke University Medical Center. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from Pennsylvania State University in 1979. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships, one in microbiology and immunology at the Duke University Medical Center and the other in cell biology and physiology at Washington University School of Medicine. Blum currently serves as a member of a study section for grant review and is a consultant for the National Institutes of Health. She has on-going research projects supported by several extramural agencies including collaborations with investigators at IUPUI and Purdue University in West Lafayette.