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Dear Cougars,
I am happy to announce that Heidi M. Appel has accepted the position of dean for the University of Houston Honors College. Her leadership of the college will begin in July.
Dr. Appel is a noted scholar in the area of chemical ecology of plant-insect interactions and an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow. She comes to UH from the University of Toledo, where she currently serves as dean of the Jesup Scott Honors College.
It goes without saying that the Honors College plays an important role at the University of Houston … not to mention in our very own city. Honors students are among the many Cougars who are applying what they’re learning on campus within our communities, if not around the globe. I know Dr. Appel is interested in high-impact, experiential learning experiences for students, so she will bring many ideas to our institution.
Beyond her experience at the University of Toledo, Dr. Appel has served honors students in administrative and teaching positions at the University of Missouri Honors College and the Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College.
Dr. Appel is a 20-year higher education veteran and holds doctoral and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Oakland University. Filling this position was no easy feat, so I must offer my thanks to the committee of faculty, staff and students led by co-chairs Dan O’Connor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and David Shattuck, associate professor in the Cullen College of Engineering. The national search for this dean’s position was no doubt an arduous task and many outstanding candidates were considered. The committee’s hard work should certainly be commended.
I would also like to acknowledge the fine work of Stuart Long, who has served as interim dean. Under his steadfast leadership, the college has continued its mission in cultivating a community of agile and innovative thinkers, engaged citizens and lifelong learners.
As mentioned, Dr. Appel will officially join us in July, and we all look forward to her arrival. Please join me in extending warm greetings to our newest Cougar! Welcome to UH, Dean Appel!
Onward, 
Robert H. McPherson
UH Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
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