Health and Human Services dean to leave WKU, assume position at North Texas

Neale+Chumbler+is+the+new+dean+of+WKUs+College+of+Health+and+Human+Services.+Chumbler%2C+a+91+alumni+of+WKU%2C+comes+to+the+Hill+from+the+University+of+Georgia%2C+where+he+served+as+head+of+the+Department+of+Health+Policy+and+Management.+Nick+Wagner%2FHERALD
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Neale Chumbler is the new dean of WKU’s College of Health and Human Services. Chumbler, a ’91 alumni of WKU, comes to the Hill from the University of Georgia, where he served as head of the Department of Health Policy and Management. Nick Wagner/HERALD

January 23, 2018

Neale Chumbler, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, was has been named the dean of the University of North Texas‘ College of Health and Public Service, according to a press release from UNT. His tenure will begin July 1. 

The press released was issued on Jan. 18, but Chumbler, on Twitter last night, said he was “elated to join UNT, partnering with many to move HPS to higher levels and be part of the Mean Green Nation!!!”

{{tncms-inline account=”Neale Chumbler” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am elated to join UNT, partnering with many to move HPS to higher levels and be part of the Mean Green Nation!!! <a href="https://t.co/yx03GUj6Yg">https://t.co/yx03GUj6Yg</a></p>— Neale Chumbler (@NealeChumbler) <a href="https://twitter.com/NealeChumbler/status/955649402655399936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/NealeChumbler/status/955649402655399936″ type=”twitter”}}

WKUapartments.com

{{tncms-inline account=”Anthony McAdoo” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/NealeChumbler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NealeChumbler</a> – we will miss you on the Hill as our dean, but look forward to keeping you connected as an alumnus! UNT is lucky to have you! <a href="https://t.co/VMBUHshv5p">https://t.co/VMBUHshv5p</a></p>— Anthony McAdoo (@amcadoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/amcadoo/status/955802085106253824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/amcadoo/status/955802085106253824″ type=”twitter”}}

According to the release, Chumbler was “struck by the ambition, enthusiasm and pride” in the HPS faculty, staff and students when he visited the college. 

Chumbler assumed the position as dean at WKU in 2015. WKU has not sent issued any official statements on Chumbler’s new position. 

Bob Skipper, director of media relations, said the university had no official statement on Chumbler’s decision.

When asked if Chumbler would continue to serve as dean for the remainder of the semester, he said he was unsure and directed the Herald to speak with Chumbler or David Lee, vice president and provost of Academic Affairs. 

“I’m excited Dean Chumbler is joining UNT and know that we will accomplish great work under his leadership,” UNT Provost Jennifer Cowley said in the release. “Our College of Health and Public Service recently was re-envisioned to better serve our students and better align with the important needs of health and public service professions that serve our communities.”

The Herald will update this story as more information becomes available