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CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the name of Jack Richman, the current dean of the School of Social Work. The article has been updated to reflect this change. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for this error.

Katie Ziglar, director of Ackland Art Museum

Katie Ziglar became the new director of the Ackland Art Museum on July 6. Ziglar comes to the Ackland from the Freer and Sackler Galleries at the Smithsonian Institute. She said she is excited for her new role as director and is working to further integrate the Ackland into the community. 

“We’re concentrating this year on inviting new audiences in to what we’re calling 'See the Ackland in a Whole New Way,'” Ziglar said. “There is a show that opens this weekend called 'Art&' that is a large gallery that is outfitted with seating and lounging areas for visitors to come in and have a cup of coffee.”

Ziglar said this is a promising new project that will allow visitors to use the galleries as both a place to hang out and relax as well as look at art.

“This is really a reaction to the Ackland’s lack of a café and a chance for us to experiment with space and visitor interaction,” Ziglar said. “This use of the Ackland is different than anything we’ve done before. We hope that people will use the galleries in a very different way.”

She said the Ackland will also be adding two new exhibits — one on the works of contemporary artists inspired by Japanese art and one on the work of Ronald Lockett, who is the cousin of famous artist Thornton Dial.

Kim Strom-Gottfried, director of ethics education and policy management

Kim Strom-Gottfried is the newly appointed director of ethics education and policy management, as of August 1. Two working groups — Ethics and Integrity and Policy and Procedure — recommended creating this position. Strom-Gottfired was previously the associate director of UNC’s Institute for the Arts and Humanities. She said she is enthusiastic about using her expertise to get the new department off the ground and work towards improving UNC’s ethical climate.

“One of my first goals this year is to create a department,” Strom-Gottfried said. “I’m securing space and getting the positions associated with the office approved and those sort of structural things…The second is to put together a policy review committee with representatives of units who can help triage new policy.”

Strom-Gottfried said she has considerable experience researching and public speaking on the topics of moral courage and moral distress.

“I think having an understanding of those helps me to look at the part of the roles that involve integrity and ethical climate,” Strom-Gottfried said. “And I think having been in leadership positions on campus…I have connections throughout campus and that will help me in understanding our policy side and how we get our policies in a transparent searchable order.”

Rachelle Feldman, associate provost and director of scholarship and student aid

New to Chapel Hill and the Department of Scholarships and Student Aid, Director Rachelle Feldman has spent the last couple weeks getting to know her new home.

“I’ve actually spent a lot of time trying to find a good grocery store and a good dance studio,” Feldman said.

Beyond getting to know the town of Chapel Hill, Feldman has spent some time acquainting herself with the University and outlining goals for the coming year.

One of the first things she said she did as the new director was to meet with Carolina Covenant scholars and discuss their financial aid. Feldman said she cared deeply about the program and providing access to higher education for everyone who is qualified.

She identified funding as a challenge facing her department. Feldman aims to protect students’ financial aid in light of low levels of state funding. 

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“I think we’re going to be challenged to raise more private scholarship dollars,” Feldman said.

Feldman also pointed to the department, saying she was excited to begin working at a University with such a solid foundation and a dedication to the students.

“I really think that it’s a school that has a true commitment to students and a true commitment to its public message.”

Gary Bowen, dean of the School of Social Work

“I feel like I’m taking over the Starship Enterprise,” said newly appointed dean of the School of Social Work, Gary Bowen.

A Kenan Distinguished Professor in the department, Bowen took over for his friend and colleague Jack Richman after shadowing him for a while to get a feel for the captain’s chair.

“It’s like I’m taking over for Captain Kirk,” he said.

Bowen said he is approaching his new position with plenty of positivity, commending the department and his predecessor for the foundation they laid. He said his transition has been an easy one.

“I’m not here to fix something because nothing’s broken,” he said.

One of the latest projects in the school is a Doctorate of Social Work, which Bowen said he is very excited about. Part of his mission as the new dean is to work in full collaboration with other UNC departments.

Bowen will take over as the dean of the School of Social Work this September.

Gloria Thomas, director of the Carolina Women's Center

Gloria Thomas recently made the Sonja Haynes Stone Center her new home when she became the director of the Carolina Women’s Center.

Thomas is thrilled with the new position and she has spent the last few weeks meeting her new co-workers and getting connected to UNC, all the while fighting back a mountain of paperwork.

“It seems like this past week has been filled with lots of finalizing reports and updates," she said. "It’s the budget cycle — we’ve just been issued our budget for the fiscal year."

Thomas said the staff at the Carolina Women’s Center is still deciding what new services to implement, and is instead focusing on getting to know the needs of the community in and around campus.

“This semester I’d like to get us an advisory board organized and in place, and get us up and running, so that we’re meeting so that I can get a sense from campus, what are the pressing issues?” Thomas said.

She also highlighted a need for increased funding to the center in order to implement new programs.

“I come from a center where 30 percent of my time was spent fundraising and I expect I’ll have to kick that up a little bit,” Thomas said.

The new director said the center is always open for anyone who needs it. Thomas said their goal is to provide a resource to the students and members of the community that they can take full advantage of.

“This space is open and available for anyone who walks through the door," she said. "You don’t have to be a woman to come to the Women’s Center."

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