Dardess named School of Public Health's interim dean

February 20, 2004

Dr. Margaret Dardess has been appointed interim dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Public Health by Dr. Robert Shelton, the University’s executive vice chancellor and provost. Her appointment becomes effective March 15, 2004.

Dardess joined the School of Public Health in January 2002 as associate dean for administration following 15 years at GlaxoSmithKline. She was later named senior associate dean of the School, and is also an adjunct professor of health policy and administration at the School. At GlaxoSmithKline, Dardess worked in the legal department before becoming, in 1996, senior vice president of corporate affairs and a member of Glaxo Wellcome Inc.’s board of directors.

“With Dean Dardess at the helm, the School of Public Health will enjoy both continuity and the opportunity to move ahead with highly experienced leadership while we conduct a thorough search for the next Dean of the School,” Shelton said in a School-wide memorandum issued today.

Dr. Bill Roper, dean of the School since July 1, 1997, leaves his position on March 15 to become the CEO of the UNC Health Care System, vice chancellor for Medical Affairs, and dean of the UNC School of Medicine. Shelton is in the process of appointing a search committee to select Roper’s replacement.

Dardess is to serve as interim dean through March 14, 2005, or until a new dean is in place.

“Margaret and I have had multiple opportunities to work together on academic projects,” Shelton said. “From these direct collaborations, I have developed great respect for her experience and judgment. I look forward to working with her in her newest leadership position.”

Dardess is chair of the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology and a member of the North Carolina Economic Development Board. She is a visiting professor of the Practice at the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University, serves as president of the GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, and is treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the Center for Child and Family Health.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College, master of arts and doctoral degrees in Japanese history from Columbia University, and a doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Kansas School of Law.