The West Bank campus, dissected by numerous bike paths and trails, may just be the perfect place for Greg Lindsey, the new associate dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, whose recent research looks at how urban design affects people’s willingness to use those sorts of trails.

The position combines the duties of chief academic officer and chief research officer and was previously done by two separate people, Humphrey Dean J. Brian Atwood said. It’s also tenured, with an annual salary of $206,000.

Lindsey will oversee the Institute’s four graduate programs as well as help develop a doctoral program, a process Atwood said will involve all Humphrey faculty.

The search process to fill the position, led by Atwood, started in January and ended when Lindsey accepted an offer in April, Atwood said.

“Greg Lindsey was simply the best candidate,” he said. “He’s basically an environmental planner. He’s a policy person.”

Lindsey, who is currently an associate dean at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, said the urban nature of the University’s campus appeals to him.

“The world is increasingly urban – that trend is going to continue,” Lindsey said. “It gives the opportunity for students to learn experiential education that they would not have at a smaller university.”

Lindsey has worked in multiple positions at Indiana University since he was hired as adjunct faculty in 1996.

In addition to academia, he’s worked in urban and environmental planning for employers as diverse as an environmental advocacy group and the city of Baltimore.

Lindsey said he looks forward to working with the University community and its neighbors.

“Any enterprise like the Humphrey or the University of Minnesota needs to think about ways that faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community can all work together to strengthen our program,” he said. “I look forward to supporting people in their efforts to do that.”

U official finalist for UW chancellorship

University Vice President for Research Timothy Mulcahy is one of four finalists for the position of chancellor at the University of Wisconsin.

University President Bob Bruininks said he appreciates Mulcahy’s contribution to the University and hopes he stays, but understands that the position would be a good career move.

“We’ll certainly celebrate if he gets this position, but (we’ll) celebrate even harder if he doesn’t,” Bruininks said.

The finalist will likely be announced next week.