FAYETTEVILLE -- Dr. Brian Primack, dean of the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, has been named dean of the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, according to a news release.
Primack will hold the Henry Hotz Endowed Chair as dean and have a secondary appointment with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine as professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Community Health.
He starts his job July 1.
"I am truly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the College of Education and Health Professions. During my campus visit, it was a delight to meet the students, faculty, staff and administration of the college," Primack said. "I greatly look forward to working with them all to best serve the educational and health-related needs of the people of Arkansas, the nation and beyond."
Primack has been dean of the Honors College since 2017 and director of the Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health since 2014. As director of the center, he has been principal or coprincipal investigator on more than $10 million in external research grants, several with a focus on developing ways to leverage technology and media to improve health outcomes.
He has also been serving as a professor of medicine in the division of General Internal Medicine, professor of pediatrics and professor of clinical and translational science.
Primack graduated Yale University magna cum laude in 1991 with degrees in English and mathematics. After teaching in West Africa for a year, he returned to the U.S. and received his master's degree in education from Harvard University, where he focused on adolescent development, psychology and education. During this time, he also served as dean of students at a large summer program for teens. At that program, he taught courses in cryptography, African art and culture, mathematical art and comedy writing.
Primack accepted a full scholarship to Emory Medical School, from which he graduated first in his class in 1999. After completing his residency training in family medicine and his doctorate in multidisciplinary social sciences, he developed a research program centered around the interface of media communications, technology and health outcomes.
Within 15 years, he amassed over 250 scholarly publications that have been cited in international news sources such as the New York Times, National Public Radio, U.S. News & World Report and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Primack was hired by Jim Coleman, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, on the recommendation of a campus search committee after a national search.
"Dr. Primack's background in the fields of education and medicine makes him uniquely qualified and a natural fit to lead our College of Education and Health Professions," Coleman said. "He has a great vision to expand the college's role as a major academic resource for the state and the nation in K-12 education, meet the growing demands for health professionals in Arkansas, and expand important research and collaboration in both health and education."
Michael Miller, who has served as dean of the College of Education since April 2016, will continue to be a professor of higher education. Miller was paid $221,450 annually as dean.
NW News on 04/18/2019