Six candidates for the position of dean of the University of Delaware Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration will participate in forums with the University community beginning June 8.

Presentations will be held from 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., on June 8, 9, 10, 13, 15 and 16 in the Trabant University Center Theatre. They also will be streamed live. Details will be available on the search website.

At these forums, the candidates will introduce themselves, discuss their area of research and present their vision for the Biden School, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Biographical information about each candidate will be available to members of the UD community 24 hours in advance of their presentation on the search website.

Reporting directly to the provost, the dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the school, playing a key role in guiding its future.

The search advisory committee is being chaired by Dan Smith, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of budget and financial management, and Laura Desimone, professor and director of research in the College of Education and Human Development.

Serving on the committee are Nina David, associate professor in the Biden School and director of the Energy and Environmental Policy Program; Greg Dobler, assistant professor in the Biden School and the Department of Physics and Astronomy; Katie Fitzpatrick, associate professor and director of the Master of Public Policy Program in the Biden School; Jim Kendra, professor in the Biden School and director of the Disaster Research Center and Disaster Science and Management Program; Cathy McLaughlin, executive director of the Biden Institute; Steve Metraux, associate professor in the Biden School and director of the Center for Community Research and Service; Andrea Pierce, Unidel Helen Gouldner Chair of the Environment and associate professor in the Biden School; A. R. Siders, assistant professor in the Biden School, the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, a core faculty member of the Disaster Research Center and an affiliate of the School of Marine Science and Policy; Kami Silk, chairperson of the Department of Communication and Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Communication; Jessica Sowa, professor in the Biden School; and Chris Williams, professor of wildlife ecology, director of the Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Center and co-chair of the University Sustainability Council.

Earlier this year, Maria Aristigueta, current dean of the Biden School, announced her plans to retire after the current academic year.