Kite, who has been serving as the school's acting associate dean since last fall, will assume her duties July 1. As associate dean, she will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the school by assisting with the administrative, operational, programmatic and project management duties.

The top candidates selected from the national search were creative and had strong organizational, communication and analytical skills, said Deborah Balogh, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School.

"Mary had all of these skills as well as exceptionally strong credentials as both a teacher and a scholar," Balogh said. "Her knowledge of the university and the strong positive relationships that she has established across campus will be an asset as the Graduate School moves forward in the future."

Kite has experience as a graduate program administrator with the department of psychological science and served three years as a faculty fellow in the Graduate School before becoming acting associate dean.

Along with administrative and teaching skills, Kite has experience in obtaining grants. She was instrumental in procuring grants from the Sloan Foundation and the American Psychological Association and is currently awaiting word on a $1.2 million grant, Balogh said.

"From serving as acting associate dean, I had a chance to see what the position entailed. I am honored to be offered the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues on the Graduate School's continuing development," Kite said.