Karen Liller, PhD, has been appointed Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of South Florida. Dr. Liller begins her new position on Monday, Aug. 25.

Dr. Liller has been a member of the USF College of Public Health faculty for 20 years, the last four years as Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of the college. She led many vital and successful initiatives in the College, such as the development of dual degree programs, including the Master of Public Health and the Doctor of Jurisprudence (MPH/JD), the undergraduate minor in public health, and the revamping and refinement of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

Dr. Liller also spent several years in the College of Education as a graduate student, earning her advanced degrees from USF: a master’s degree in technical education along with Ed.S. and Ph.D. degrees in curriculum and instruction.

She is a nationally-and internationally-known researcher in children’s injury prevention and control with 100 peer-and editorially-reviewed publications, several book chapters, more than 45 published project and technical reports, 140 professional presentations, and the text, “Injury Prevention for Children and Adolescents: Research, Practice, and Advocacy,” to her credit.

Dr. Liller will lead the growth and success of graduate education at USF through building teams across the university to enhance interdisciplinary education, research, and innovation.

“We fully anticipate Dr. Liller will be calling on many faculty and administrators across the university to partner with the Graduate School to achieve the bold and ambitious goals set forth in the strategic plan,” said Ralph C. Wilcox, PhD, Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at USF. “Dr. Liller has articulated a strong vision for graduate education and for bringing together the University’s breadth of graduate programs.”

“She has many innovative ideas and understands the important intersection that exists between research and graduate education,” said Karen A. Holbrook, PhD, Vice President for Research & Innovation at USF.