VCU news

By Anne Buckley

Barry Falk, Ph.D., a respected economist with significant experience in honors education, has been named dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College, effective Aug. 1.

Falk currently is director of the Honors Program and a professor of economics at James Madison University. Before taking his position at JMU in 2007, Falk was an assistant, an associate and then a full professor of economics at Iowa State University. He has also served as a visiting fellow at Yale University and as a visiting scholar in the economics research division of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board.

"I am very pleased that Dr. Falk has decided to come to VCU as our new dean of the Honors College," said Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at VCU. "He possesses a significant understanding of the national landscape of honors programs and a keen awareness of best practices in honors education.

“I have no doubt that he is the right person to ensure that the VCU Honors College maintains its place as a center of academic excellence and student success," Warren said.

Falk is also a respected scholar in the field of economics with many years of experience in the classroom. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and his doctorate in economics from the University of Minnesota. Falk also participated in Harvard University’s Management and Leadership in Higher Education Institute.

VCU’s Honors College includes about 1,000 students in an intellectually diverse community with students from virtually every major on campus. The Honors College provides the framework for advanced academic success and sets the stage for lifelong learning.