Mandel Center Receives New Governance Model

When the Mandel Center was launched nearly two decades ago, the governance model of a secretariat - initially comprised of the Deans of the partner schools and subsequently comprised of the Deans, a faculty member and two community representatives - was very sufficient and served the center well. Over time, and with multiple changes in leadership within the partner schools, this model became less effective. Multiple discussions with Case's President, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and members of the Mandel Supporting Foundation have produced a new governance model for the Center that will enable it to function more efficiently within the university.

The Mandel Center is now positioned as "university-wide" and has autonomy relative to its relationships with key Case administrative departments, finances, human resource, marketing and development functions. The Center's new partnership arrangement also outlines a process whereby the Deans of the four partner schools will work with Center staff in securing longer-term commitments by faculty to teach in the Center's program. In addition, the Center will now have the ability to establish its own visiting committee of local, national and international scholars and practitioners to provide external guidance. Implementation of the new governance agreement is now underway.