Familiar faces are being seen in new places this fall at Fresno Pacific University.
Janita Rawls, business faculty, begins a one-year appointment as interim dean of Fresno Pacific College, the traditional undergraduate program. Stephen Varvis moves from dean of the college to director of business and civic relations for the Advancement Office.
"Putting the right people in the right positions is the recipe for success," President D. Merrill Ewert said of the appointments, which take effect in August. "We have certainly done that with these appointments. Janita and Steve have the ability, the experience and commitment that this university needs in these important roles as we move into the future. They have much to contribute, and I look forward to working with them."
Rawls joined the business faculty in 1997 and has headed the department since 1998. During this time she led business-university partnerships between faculty and business leaders and expanded connections between undergraduate and graduate business and leadership programs. Rawls has a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno (CSUF), an M.B.A. from Rider College and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University.
Varvis served as dean from 1997-2003. He came to FPU as business manager in 1985, becoming full-time history faculty in 1992. In his new position, Varvis will expand relationships between FPU and businesses, corporations and civic groups. He will also continue to teach half time in the history department. He has a bachelor's degree from CSUF and a doctorate from Claremont Graduate University.