Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture yesterday released the name of its new dean, who is expected to officially start work in June.

Barbara Korner, who is replacing Dean Richard Durst, has been named the new dean of the college, pending approval by the Penn State Board of Trustees at its March meeting. Her appointment will become effective June 1.

The College of Arts and Architecture, which includes Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts, the Palmer Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Centre Stage, has about 1,900 students enrolled and offers an assortment of undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, music and architecture fields.

Korner said she is looking forward to working at Penn State.

"This college has a very strong history and yet it knows how to develop cutting-edge programs and opportunities for students in the 21st century," Korner said. "It's exciting to be in program with such depth and breadth. It is a very forward looking program, and I'm excited to help them realize that future for the students."

Korner, whose most recent positions include associate dean for academic and student affairs in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida, holds an interdisciplinary fine arts doctorate from Ohio University, a baccalaureate in theatre production and a master's degree in theatre performance. She has also held various positions at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Ohio University, Mid-America Nazarene University and Seattle Pacific University.

Although Korner will not take office until June, she said she has already begun to make plans for the future of the college.

"I think right now there are several new initiatives with some interdisciplinary plans that are already in place," she said. "[The plans] are going to get worked with because they are just in the beginning. But some things are already in the works, and we are looking at how we can build on those," Korner said.

Korner's leadership abilities and experiences will "continue the strong positive momentum of the college," Rodney Erickson, Penn State's executive vice president and provost, said in a press release.

In addition to Korner's academic positions, she is currently co-director of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education Leadership Institute, has published a book and has performed in and directed several touring theater shows.