Webster University Names Julian Schuster Provost and Senior Vice President

ST. LOUIS, June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dr. Julian Z. Schuster has been named Provost and Senior Vice President at Webster University. Dr. Schuster currently serves as Founding Dean of the Hamline School of Business at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. As Provost, Dr. Schuster will serve as Webster's chief academic officer and chief advisor to President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, and will have direct involvement in the strategic and day-to-day leadership of the institution.

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"Julian Schuster is an accomplished scholar and academic administrator who has been called upon many times at two different institutions when there was a need for skilled academic leadership," Stroble said. "His leadership style has been described as decisive, inclusive, dynamic and thoughtful, and his international orientation – both personally and professionally – make him an ideal match for Webster's mission and vision."

Webster University Trustee P. Joseph McKee III called Dr. Schuster's appointment an investment in the future of the University. "Julian Schuster is an impressive individual who has done great things at other institutions. We are confident that he will do the same here as Provost and that his leadership and business savvy will help take Webster to the next level," McKee said.

"I look forward with great anticipation to joining the Webster community," Dr. Schuster said. "Webster's heritage and core values, including its commitment to educating citizens of a global society and to providing student-centered educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners, position the institution for great success in these changing times. I share Webster's visions and values, and I am excited to add my ideas and skills to President Stroble's leadership team."

Dr. Schuster has been with Hamline University since 2006. Prior to that, he served in several capacities at the University of New Haven from 1996 to 2006, including Chair of the Department of Economics and Finance, Director of the Doctoral Program, Director of the Executive MBA Program, and Associate Dean and Dean of the School of Business.

Dr. Schuster received bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in Economics from the University of Belgrade, one of the oldest and largest universities in the western Balkans.  He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the University Avenue Business Association and on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Pluralism and Economic Education. Dr. Schuster's professional memberships include the American Economic Association, the Eastern Economic Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Schuster has pioneered global alliances and promoted strategic investment in academic excellence while maintaining financial vibrancy. At Hamline University, Dr. Schuster strengthened and expanded collaborations with numerous international partner institutions, including United International College, China; Akita International University, Japan; HAAGA-HELIA-University of Applied Sciences, Finland; University of Jaen, Spain; GEA College of Entrepreneurship, Slovenia; UNIMORE University, Italy; ESC Rouen, France; and Cologne School of Business and University of Trier, Germany. Similarly, at the University of New Haven, Dr. Schuster completed academic cooperation agreements with universities in Finland, Spain, Russia, Serbia and Greece.

"I am delighted that Dr. Julian Schuster will be joining our Webster family as Provost," said Dorothy Marshall Englis, co-chair of the Provost and Senior Vice President Search Committee. "In addition to his international perspective, Dr. Schuster brings acute skills in collaboration and communication. His warmth, humor and understanding of the Webster story will prove invaluable as he leads our academic community forward."

William Lynch, director of Webster's campus in London and former president of the University's Faculty Senate, said, "Throughout the search process, Dr. Schuster demonstrated a solid working knowledge of Webster, an open and direct style of communication and a surprising sense of humor.  His international experiences and perspectives are additional assets he will bring to his new role as Provost.  I look forward to working with Dr. Schuster and am confident my colleagues at our international sites will share my enthusiasm about his appointment."

Dr. Schuster is the author of two books on Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and more than 50 articles in scholarly publications. He has studied many languages, and is fluent in his native Serbian/Croatian, English and Russian, with proficiency in Slovak, Macedonian and Bulgarian.      

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education. The University's Study Abroad programs rank in the top 2 percent of the more than 1,400 colleges and universities surveyed in the "America's Best Colleges" 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report. Webster is one of just 34 U.S. institutions to share this distinction, which recognizes study abroad programs that involve substantial academic work for credit and considerable interaction with the local culture. The University's international presence now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.

SOURCE Webster University -- Saint Louis Campus