Donald L. Opitz greets School for New Learning students at a DePaul commencement ceremony. He has been reappointed interim dean of the School for New Learning (to become the School of Continuing and Professional Studies in July 2019) through the 2019-20 academic year. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)With University President A. Gabriel Esteban’s approval, Acting Provost Salma Ghanem has reappointed Don Opitz as interim dean of the School for New Learning, to become the School of Continuing and Professional Studies in July 2019, through the 2019-20 academic year.
“I am incredibly grateful for Don’s stewardship and willingness to remain in this leadership role,” Ghanem says. “His constancy during this time of change for SNL has been invaluable.”
At the start of 2018-19, SNL began a large-scale reorganization, renaming and rebranding. The reorganization involves a broadening of its mission and function to focus more on the growing adult market for credit-hour based, market-responsive professional studies degrees and stackable credentials.
To reflect these changes, the school will be renamed and rebranded the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, or SCPS, on July 1.
A decision will be made this summer on when the university will begin the search for a permanent dean.