Ackerman named to Graduate School physical sciences post

Steve Ackerman, a professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, has been named interim associate dean for the physical sciences in the UW–Madison Graduate School. He assumed his new post Jan. 13.

Ackerman takes over the role held most recently by Wendy Crone, who was earlier named the school’s associate dean for Graduate Education.

Ackerman also works in the UW–Madison Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC), where he directs the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS).CIMSS is a cooperative research center involving UW–Madison, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA.

Ackerman is an expert in the area of satellite meteorology, a field largely invented at UW–Madison. He is well known as an accomplished teacher and communicator of the science of weather and climate.

Graduate School Dean Martin Cadwallader noted Ackerman’s extensive administrative background as well as his academic accomplishments:.

“Steve brings a wealth of experience and a complete understanding of the university environment to this role,” explains Cadwallader. “His scholarly achievements are outstanding and over many years he has proven to be an outstanding citizen of the university community. We’re delighted that he has agreed to serve in this role.”

Cadwallader said the search for a permanent Graduate School associate dean for physical sciences is underway and the position is expected to be filled by the end of August.