Karin Ruhlandt’s ability to juggle problems on a day-to-day basis reminds some of a sports car.

“She has a remarkable ability to change focus,” said James Kallmerten, the interim chair of the chemistry department. “She really is a sports car in that she can turn really quickly. And that always impressed me.”

Now, Ruhlandt will have to turn and face new problems and new challenges as she takes over as permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Her appointment as dean was announced to the Syracuse University community on Jan. 30. She previously served as interim dean since July 2014. Before that, Ruhlandt served as chair of the chemistry department, a job she started in 2009. She joined the SU faculty in 1993 as an assistant professor.

Ruhlandt, who was born in Germany, is a scientist. It’s who she is and how she built her career, she said. But, she added, she understands that being dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, SU’s largest and first college, will require her to bridge the gap between the sciences, the humanities and the social sciences.

It’s a task Ruhlandt said she’s up for and has a plan for, and many of her colleagues said Ruhlandt has the experience and leadership qualities necessary to succeed.

Robert Van Gulick, a philosophy professor and member of the dean search committee, said Ruhlandt’s credentials matched up with what the dean of the college needs to be able to do. She was a good department chair, she is accomplished at her own research and she knows how to run successful research programs, he said.

“That’s what we do, teaching and research, and we hope the new dean will be somebody to help strengthen both those things,” Van Gulick said.

Kallmerten worked at SU when Ruhlandt was hired as an assistant professor more than 20 years ago. He said Ruhlandt’s background as a scientist will help her both in her decision-making and in applying for large, institutional grants for the college. But, he added, Ruhlandt also has an appreciation for the humanities and social sciences, which will be a key aspect of her role as dean.

Kallmerten also said Ruhlandt has a specific leadership style, saying she is a straight shooter and very direct. But, he said, Ruhlandt isn’t locked into one way of thinking. She’s willing to listen to arguments and opinions and change her view based on what she sees and hears.

That quality in particular appealed to Mary Lovely, a professor of economics and chair of the search committee. She said Ruhlandt has “managerial courage.”

“She’s willing to listen to everybody and then make a hard decision,” Lovely said.

In addition, Ruhlandt was an appealing candidate due to her experience in both undergraduate and graduate education, Lovely said, adding that Ruhlandt also has a passion for the college.

That passion is mirrored by Chancellor Kent Syverud, who has frequently stated his desire to build an unrivaled College of Arts and Sciences. Kallmerten said he believes the pair’s similar mindset will benefit Ruhlandt in the dean’s job.

“It seems to me like they’re on the same page in terms of where they want to see the college go,” he said. “She embraces that goal and would like to see the college be one of the central jewels or the crown of our college system.”

Ruhlandt said she has a five-part strategy to make that happen.

Much of that strategy begins with attracting, recruiting and retaining the best quality students, and then supporting those students with the best possible instruction. Once those students are on campus, Ruhlandt said she hopes to support research for both students and faculty.

In order to ensure student success during and after their time in the college, Ruhlandt said the school is working on improving advising.

“There are so many options available to students, I believe it’s necessary for students to have guidance to maneuver those options,” she said.

Ruhlandt also wants to engage and maintain relationships with alumni in the college, which she said would be a resource for current students.

The final aspect of her five-part strategy is to bring together the first four pieces by building a feeling of community amongst faculty, students and alumni.

“What I would like to do is to really create a sense of belonging and camaraderie in the college so that students are proud to be a part of the college,” she said. “It’s probably one of the hardest ones to do since the three areas appear to be so different, but in reality I don’t think they are.”

She’s a strong supporter of providing students with a liberal arts foundation that will serve as a foundation for their education. She sees the three areas of the college — the humanities, the sciences and the social sciences — as a way to create a whole student and a whole person, she said. Ruhlandt herself is an example of how the three areas can come together.

“I know for me, I love literature and I love poetry and I love to travel and this is a very large part of who I am,” Ruhlandt said. “I love different cultures and people. And all of that is making it enjoyable to be a dean.”

Published on February 10, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27