Administrator described as 'friendly workaholic'

IU's new chancellor and vice president for academic affairs, Sharon S. Brehm, has been widely described as a "friendly workaholic," with an infinite amount of energy and a commitment to excellence.\nBut really she just likes to read, travel and ride in fast planes.\n"I adore reading, and I always have like six books going," she said. "The ability to open a book and open a world will never lose its excitement for me."\nAnd fast planes are fun too, she said. "I took a ride on an F-16 and I would like to ride on another jet at any time."\nHer fondness for fast planes might have something to do with what her colleagues describe as her infinite energy.\n"I worked with her for five years, and she was always a very high-energy person," said Donald Blake, associate dean for academic affairs for Harpur College at SUNY-Binghamton University, where Brehm worked as dean for six years. "She is quick. She sees issues, analyzes them, assesses them, gathers the relevant information and moves forward with an action plan."\nBrehm's immediate plans include visiting IU several times to speak with key people, such as her soon-to-be predecessor, Kenneth Gros Louis. Once she begins her position July 1, she plans to talk to as many people as possible to learn about the University.\n"Everyone else will be the teachers, and I will be the only student," she said. "Before I can get any strong sense of leading the University, I need to learn the University."\nBrehm has already had a diverse career in administrations at other public universities. IU will be the biggest university she has served.\nBlake said it is no surprise she will continue in the public sector.\n"She is very committed to making education available to as many people as possible," he said. "She tries to support students as much as possible through scholarship money and admission standards. She works hard to create opportunities."\nBefore her tenure as provost at Ohio University and her time as dean at SUNY-Birmingham, she was head of the honors program at the University of Kansas.\nJames Muyskens served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas when Brehm was there. \n"She was very effective in helping the strongest students at Kansas do very well," he said. "She is a good teacher and motivator. She is a real scholar, and since that time she has done extremely well at administrative positions. IU is very fortunate."\nBrehm said the values she feels are most important at any university are academic excellence, increased diversity and collaboration between all constituencies of the university.\n"I think also quality of life issues on campus and working with the local community is important," she said. "I think one of the great attractions of IU is Bloomington itself. It is a great city, it has a lot of character and it is very important to maintain that quality of life; it benefits everybody."\nBut to her the "absolute bedrock" is academic excellence, which she wants to instill in all of IU's programs.\n"Obviously the liberal arts are an extraordinarily important part of IU -- they are the core of what this university has been for many years," she said. "But in addition, the other schools are marvelous programs, so I think we have to step back and find ways for people from different colleges to work together."\nIn her previous position at OU, Brehm worked closely with Associate Provost Barbara Reeves, who said Brehm remained in constant contact with students, staff and administrators. She also said Brehm has an engaging smile and a love of fine arts.\n"She supported a lot of the cultural events and events on campus," Reeves said. "She always went to the senior dance recitals."\nThe Bloomington arts events are something Brehm said she is looking forward to attending.\n"I want to go to as many operas as possible," she said. "The fine arts here are marvelous. I think we are all very fortunate to have such strong fine arts on this campus."\nReeves said Brehm has an excellent track record with completing projects, mentioning an evaluation of teaching methods and grade inflation. She also said Brehm was committed to diversity.\n"At her very first commencement ceremony she wore a Kente cloth to represent diversity," Reeves said.\nIn addition to progressing as a university, Brehm likes to bring a positive attitude to her immediate working environment.\n"My own style is that I am very energetic, and I like to be on the move," she said. "I like to get out of the office and meet people in their places. And with my staff I like us to work hard and feel like a team. If you come up to my office at OU, you will hear a lot of laughter and you would have a sense of a great energy."\nBlake described Brehm as a "cheerful communicator." He said her listening skills were appreciated by everyone, especially the faculty.\n"She is a very clear manager," he said. "She makes you feel connected. She holds people accountable and recognizes their achievements."\nReeves said she is confident Brehm will tackle her additional responsibilities at IU well.\n"I get a sense that she lives her life that anything worth doing is worth doing well," Reeves said.\nBrehm's largest challenge might be living up to the reputation Gros Louis has established. \nBut Brehm said she isn't nervous, only excited.\n"When Ken and I were walking over to the press conference I looked at his shoes and said, 'these are some big shoes,'" she said. "But I feel so fortunate and happy to come to IU. It is going to be a very big job, but this campus is very warm and welcoming, and I am excited"