Honors College receives a boost with interim director Barbara Mabee

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

The Oakland University Honors College has a new leader at the helm. Longtime OU professor Barbara Mabee was named interim director in July and will preside over a burgeoning program that includes an incoming freshman class of nearly 200 students, the largest in its history.

“I see many possibilities for promoting and developing a more visible Honors College culture on our campus and more opportunities for research and international study,” said Mabee. “It is a pleasure and privilege to work with so many bright and curious students and to play a role in shaping their college careers.”

A veteran educator, Mabee has spent more than 30 years in higher education, including the last two decades at Oakland University, where she has taught a variety of courses in German language and literature, as well as courses in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program, gender studies and the Honors College.

In her new role, Mabee plans to promote increased collaboration with university partners, such as Macomb Community College and Cooley Law School, as well as establish ties with the university’s medical school, slated to open in 2010.

She will also seek to strengthen the program through enhanced recruitment and interaction among students and faculty.

“I will focus on recruiting strong faculty for the core courses that all Honors College students have to take,” said Mabee. “I would like to have a liaison faculty member from each department serve as an adviser and help recruit more students into the program.”

For more information about the Honors College visit the Web site at oakland.edu/hc.