Miami University has named longtime economics professor and administrator Melissa Thomasson as interim vice president of Miami Regionals and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science. Thomasson most recently served as associate vice president for strategic initiatives and has played a major role in implementing MiamiTHRIVE initiatives over the past year. University President Gregory Crawford said Thomasson has helped position Miami’s strategic initiatives for long-term success and will continue building on efforts aimed at expanding enrollment and strengthening workforce-focused education programs at the regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown. As part of her new role, Thomasson will help lead Miami Regionals’ transition toward a polytechnic education model focused on hands-on workforce training in areas such as engineering technology, information technology, and construction management. Thomasson succeeds interim dean Moira Casey, who will return to teaching at Miami Regionals at the end of June. University officials credited Casey with helping oversee several major projects during her tenure, including the opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub in Hamilton and securing 23-million dollars in capital appropriations for the Hamilton campus.

Thomasson said she is excited to continue building on the momentum already established at Miami Regionals and help shape the future of the university’s regional campuses. A Miami faculty member since 1998, Thomasson previously served as associate dean for faculty excellence in the Farmer School of Business and chaired the university’s Economics Department. Her research work has been featured nationally by organizations including NPR, NBC, and The Financial Times. Miami University operates regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, along with a learning center in West Chester.