McCarty, a member of the Union faculty since 1987, succeeds Christina Sorum, who passed away on May 16.
“Therese is a well-published scholar and superior teacher who has served in a number of important faculty leadership positions at the College,” said Interim President James Underwood. “As chair and member of the Economics Department, she has played a key role in strengthening an already strong department. Recently, as a member of the Minerva Council and the Beuth House Council, she has brought energy and ingenuity to a venture that is key to the College's future success.”
McCarty said, “I look forward to building on the work of Roger Hull and Christie Sorum. Their innovations-such as the Minerva Houses and Converging Technologies-have made Union an increasingly exciting place to teach and study.”
McCarty is a well-regarded professor with a range of teaching experience in economics courses including Income Tax in Theory and Practice. As part of that course, McCarty coordinated students' participation in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at the College's Kenney Community Center.
Her research specializes in state and local public finance and education finance.
She has an extensive record of College service including department and division chair; chair of the Faculty Executive Committee, the faculty governance body; and membership on the Minerva Council, which oversees the Minerva Houses, a College-wide initiative that blends the residential, intellectual and social spheres.
She holds an A.B. degree from Bryn Mawr College and A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan.
She lives in Niskayuna with her husband, Johnny Willis, and their daughter, Helen.
Terry S. Weiner, professor of political science, has been named to a one-year appointment as special assistant to the president for special projects and planning.
Weiner will work closely with administrators, faculty and others to develop strategic planning to be undertaken by Union's new president. He also will assist in procuring grants and organizing speakers and conferences.
“Terry is an ideal choice to assist with this important transition at Union,” said Underwood. “He has had a long and productive career at Union-as teacher, scholar and administrator. He has served on many important committees and has just completed two terms as chair of the political science department.
Weiner, the Chauncey H. Winters Professor of Comparative Social Analysis, joined the Union faculty in 1974. His many appointments have also included acting dean of arts and sciences, and associate dean of faculty. He has been a reviewer and consultant to academic programs at a number of other institutions. He has published and presented panels on topics including health policy and sociology of medicine, political sociology, education policy, and sociology and politics of disability. A strong advocate of community service, Weiner has served on the Niskayuna School Board since 1990, including two terms as president. He has been on the board of directors of the Wildwood School (for the neurologically impaired) since 1996.
He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago; and master's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina.