"Bill brings an extensive background in regional campus administration to the position," said Dan Evans, executive dean of regional campuses. "He is highly regarded and respected by his colleagues across the university, the state and indeed the nation. I look forward to continued success of the campus under his leadership."

During his term as interim dean Willan has supported dual enrollment and recruiting initiatives at the campus that have contributed to enrollment growth of more than nine percent in the past academic year. He also has established a green campus initiative that includes recycling and energy footprint reduction and has worked with the colleges of business and health and human services to develop new program initiatives.

"I am truly honored by this selection," Willan said. "It's clear that the campus and community are committed to various partnership programs and initiatives that will need to be nurtured and expanded if we are to meet the educational needs of the region, and I will do my best to contribute to those partnerships."

Since joining Ohio University in 1999, Willan has played a vital role in Ohio University's regional higher education programming and operation. He has served as coordinator of academic program development for regional higher education and later as assistant vice president. Prior to becoming interim dean, he was associate vice president for academic and student affairs for University Outreach and Regional Campuses. He has also taught English on the Athens and regional campuses. In 2003 and 2004 he served as interim dean of the Eastern campus in St. Clairsville.

Willan earned a Ph.D. in English and a master's in English from Purdue University. He also holds a bachelor's in English education from the University of Indianapolis.

Before coming to Ohio University, Willan spent 11 years at the University of Maine at Fort Kent in positions that included associate professor of English, Arts and Humanities Chair, Academic Dean, and Assistant to the President for Special Projects. He received the Outstanding Faculty Award and was named Honors Faculty at UMFK.

As dean, Willan will lead a campus that includes about 100 full-time faculty and staff and over 1,800 students.

"It's been most gratifying to see how the Southern Campus faculty and staff are embracing the opportunities presented by the University System of Ohio and by the proposed regional and undergraduate college of Ohio University," Willan said. "I look forward to our mutual efforts to further the campus' development as an academic center for the region."