Special Section: Homecoming 2012 - Friends University

new leadership c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 6she holds here. She has more than 30 years of experience ininstitutional advancement.Muirhead said she has two important short-term goals in hernew role at the University.“First, I want to learn all I can about our traditions andhistory, as well as our opportunities and challenges, from avariety of our constituencies,” she said. “Additionally, I wantto raise the visibility of Friends – to help the community andregion get to know us and all we have to offer.”As for the long-term, Muirhead wants to help build a strongnetwork for relationships that will serve students, enhanceacademic programs and engage alumni.Dr. Darcy ZabelHaving been at Friends Universitysince 1998 and serving for thepast three years as associate vicepresident of Academic Affairs, Dr.Darcy Zabel has seen significantchange. Currently serving as interimvice president of Academic Affairs,she’s prepared to help the Universitythrough further evolution andtransformation.“Friends University is poised for exciting innovation andpowerful change in the next three years. Much of this hingeson what we develop for our students,” Dr. Zabel said. “Thisincludes the research, design, development and administrationof new academic programs and significant expansion orrevitalization of older programs that are ready to do even morewith active, applied learning such as the inclusion of short-termstudy abroad opportunities into programs, expanded internshipofferings, and other exciting applied learning opportunities.”Dr. Zabel started her journey at Friends University as anassistant professor of English, moving through the facultyranks to become a fully tenured professor in 2009. PreviousUniversity responsibilities include religion and humanitiesdivision vice chair; honors program director; and heavyinvolvement in the general education studies program,freshman seminar program, and general education seniorcapstone assessment program.MFT Alumnus at Forefront ofStrengthening FamiliesBY HANNAH PauLS, SENIORGeorge Williams has beenappointed to serve as the specialassistant to the secretary at thenewly named Department forChildren and Families, formerly theKansas Department of Social andRehabilitation Services.Williams is a 2002 graduate of theMaster of Science in Marriage andGeorge WilliamsFamily Therapy program.As the special assistant to the secretary, he is focusing ona family-strengthening initiative, something he is familiarwith from his work at the National Center for Fathering.Williams comes to this position well prepared, creditinghis graduate education with providing him the theoreticalknowledge that forms the backbone of his programs andthe practical experience to be able to effectively facilitatechange in his clients’ lives.Williams’ goal is to provide “evidence-based, researchinformedbest-practices for services producing positiveoutputs and outcomes for child well-being and healthyfamilies.”Practically speaking, Williams said he is striving for“compassion-driven service delivery” to reach familiesquickly with effective results or referrals to the appropriatechannels.However, his charge is not without challenges. Today’sdifficult economy accelerates family problems driven bydecreased incomes. Despite this, Williams has high hopesfor the future of the marriage and family therapy field, asstate governments continue to invest in the well being oftheir citizens through similar initiatives.Dr. Chris Habben has “had the pleasure of followingGeorge’s work on fathering, in particular, and families, ingeneral.”As a professor of marriage and family therapy at FriendsUniversity’s Lenexa Education Center, Dr. Habben isconfident that Williams will make a sizeable contribution inhis new position.In short, Williams believes that “strong families makea strong Kansas,” and he is excited to help make Kansasstronger.COURTESY PHOTOAlumni Key: G’__ = Associate or Bachelor’s Degree Graduation Year; M’__ = Master’s Degree Graduation Year; FS’__ = Former Student, Last Year AttendedF A L L 2 0 1 27