As a newcomer at Miami University Middletown (MUM), Jeanne Hey describes herself as a sponge.

She said she has absorbed countless bits of advice and information presented to her as she prepares herself for her new position as interim dean at the regional campus.

"I've read as much as I can about the Middletown curriculum, history and operations," Hey said. "So basically I'm just trying to be one enormous sponge for information about the challenge that is ahead."

Hey began as interim dean of the Middletown campus for the 2009-10 academic year Aug. 10.

Provost Jeffrey Herbst said students should be pleased to discover there will not be any drastic changes within Miami's campuses under Hey's authority for the 2009-10 school year.

"We discussed ongoing efforts, of course," Herbst said. "On all campuses, there are lots of efforts to improve not only academic programs but also support operations."

As the days dwindled down to her first official day of work as MUM dean, Hey said she scheduled meetings with numerous faculty and staff, especially those in the office of the dean.

Rob Schorman, associate dean of academic affairs at Middletown, was one of the members of the dean's office who met with Hey to review plans for the upcoming school year.

"We were trying to give some context to the academic year and we discussed what kind of opening week and opening year activities we had that she would normally be involved with as dean," Schorman said of the content considered during their meeting.

According to Hey, she has focused completely on becoming as prepared and informed as she can of how the campus has been run under the previous Middletown dean, Kelly Cowan.

"I've just been trying to learn as much as I can and to meet as many people as I can," Hey said. "I've met with the outgoing dean a couple of times and had a long list of questions each time. She's been really generous helping me get up to speed."

Hey said she discussed MUM's various academic and community plans with Cowan.

"Everything from day-to-day operations, the financial situation of the campus, new initiatives that the campus is embarking on, relationships with Oxford and Hamilton, the dean of the regional campus is really in charge of everything possible having to do with that, not just the academic life so I'm trying to tap into all of that," Hey said.

Hey also collaborated with Herbst to better understand the mission at hand as dean.

"There were significant efforts of budget improvement this year and those are going to continue certainly," Herbst said.

Hey said it was "too early" for her to have new plans for Middletown but said she looks forward to overseeing projects already underway.

"The campus now offers a bachelor's degree of integrated studies, that has just come recently, it isn't brand new, but this year is an important year apart of that," Hey said.

Hey said enrollment increased and students will find their classes more full.

The Voice of America Learning Center is up and going, Hey said and she imagines MUM's relationship with the center will be good for students.

As her first official day as MUM dean neared, Hey expressed her feelings of enthusiasm and anticipation for taking on the job.

"I am excited and nervous at the same time," Hey said. "It's a really exciting opportunity and I'm really looking forward to meeting everybody, and understanding better everything that is going on."

Schorman said he is comfortable with Hey's appointment as MUM dean and is excited to work alongside her.

"I think she was a good choice for the dean position and I'm sure she'll do well when she gets here," Schorman said. "I'm sure she'll do fine and I'm looking forward to working with her."

Before her appointment at Middletown, Hey was director of the international studies program and a professor of political science.