University of Northern Colorado confident in new dean of College of Natural and Health Science despite his connection to a previous financial scandal
By Kelly Ragan
The University of Northern Colorado announced Kamel Haddad, Ph.D, will join the university as the next dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences starting May 1.
Haddad is finishing out the month as a professor of mathematics at California State University San Marcos with a special assignment as consultant for student success initiatives in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
At CSUSM, Haddad served as vice provost and interim provost from 2014 to 2020.
Haddad left the role under less than favorable circumstances.
An investigation by California State University Office of Audit and Advisory Services found 33 instances of fraud, namely involving travel expenses by the former Dean of Extended Learning Michael Schroder. According to a report by The Cougar Chronical, the student newspaper, Schroder allegedly misused state funds for personal use and claimed reimbursement for his personal expenses.
Haddad, then the vice provost for Academic Affairs, and Graham Oberem, former Provost, approved Schroder’s claims of reimbursement.
According to the audit report, Oberem was bothered by the high cost of Schroder’s business expenses, but he approved them anyway.
Oberem retired three days after an anonymous complaint was made, according to the Chronical. Schroder resigned. Haddad resigned his post as vice provost and returned as faculty before getting the job at UNC, according to a report by NBC San Diego.
In a statement, UNC spokesperson Deanna Herbert said UNC was aware of the situation and noted Haddad had been forthcoming about it.
“The university did the necessary due diligence in thoroughly vetting Dr. Haddad and found that not only was he an accomplished faculty member and scholar with an excellent publication record, but his integrity was also commended, and he came highly recommended,” Herbert said.
Herbert said UNC has put “considerable effort into ensuring our internal fiscal control policies are strong. This includes a system of checks and balances requiring multiple levels of approval for expense reports.”
According to a UNC news release, Haddad helped to facilitate the advent of engineering programs at CSUSM during his time as vice provost, in which he implemented enrollment and funding models driven by student demand.
“His work on identifying and removing operational barriers to student success contribute to the university’s freshman – and transfer-graduation rates reaching record highs,” according to UNC.
Before joining CSUSM, Haddad served as an associate dean in the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering at California State University, Bakersfield. He received his doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Maryland and his bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is also fluent in French and Arabic, according to UNC.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be joining UNC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences where the students-first principle is supported by faculty with impressive credentials and a campus community with Bear pride," Haddad said in the release. "Together, building on a strong foundation and in partnership with our regional community, we shall discover untapped potential and ascend to new heights.”