Hollins University has announced the appointment of Steven E. Laymon, Ph.D., as vice president for graduate programs and continuing studies. He will provide leadership for and oversight of the university’s existing programs and develop new initiatives.
Laymon comes to Hollins from the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, where he has worked in several key capacities since 2014. As associate dean for academic programs and services, he was responsible for development, management, and evaluation of two undergraduate degree programs; business and professional certificates; design and strategic expansion of corporate training and outreach; and management of non-credit programs offered by the School. He worked with staff to engineer improvements in long-term sustainability by enhancing enrollment, improving operational efficiency, and creating new programs when he served for three years as the School’s interim dean. As associate professor and associate dean for academic affairs, he taught face-to-face and online courses in social sciences, leadership, and political science; managed academic programs; and created strategies to improve the quality of instruction. And, he taught courses on nationalism, American and popular culture, and social science theory as an associate professor general faculty/lecturer.
Prior to his service at UVa, Laymon spent nearly a decade as associate dean for graduate and professional programs in the University of Chicago’s Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies.
Laymon holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago, where he also earned an M.A. in international relations. He completed his B.A. in international history and political science at Miami University.
“Steven is a dynamic, enthusiastic, and collaborative leader,” said Hollins President Mary Dana Hinton. “In addition to supporting our current programs, he will create innovative new graduate, certificate, and not-for-credit programs that will meet adult learners’ interests and needs while upholding Hollins’ liberal arts mission. He will help grow the university’s national and international reputation in graduate education and continuing studies.”
“I think we have a tremendous opportunity to build graduate and continuing education programs that speak to the complex needs of the twenty-first century,” said Laymon. “We live in a dynamic world, where analytical skills, critical thinking, creativity, and inclusive perspectives are as important as pragmatic and practical skills. Hollins’ tradition of liberal arts learning provides the best jumping off point for those kinds of graduate and continuing education programs. I am excited to begin to collaborate with my colleagues at Hollins.”
Laymon will begin his duties as vice president for graduate programs and continuing studies on July 19.
