Batavian leaves Harper College to be new principal at IMSA
Beacon-News Staff June 26, 2012 9:34AM
Dr. Diana Sharp, principal of Illinois Math and Science Academy
Updated: July 28, 2012 6:19AM
AURORA — A Batavia resident has been chosen as the new principal and chief academic officer at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, the school announced Tuesday.
Diana Sharp, assistant provost at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, will assume her duties at the Aurora school on July 1.
“Dr. Sharp brings a breadth and depth of experience to IMSA,” said IMSA President Dr. Glenn W. “Max” McGee.
Sharp said she is anxious to continue advancing IMSA’s “amazing work” and looks forward to leading IMSA’s faculty.
“IMSA’s national reputation for preparing highly qualified students for advanced study in STEM fields is unparalleled in the state of Illinois, and I am so honored to be chosen to continue this important work for our state and our nation,” Sharp said.
Sharp has held several leadership roles at Harper College, including as interim dean for the Mathematics and Sciences, Liberal Arts, Business and Social Sciences, and Resources for Learning divisions. Before joining Harper, she served in leadership roles at the University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Wisconsin, Carthage College and other institutions.
Sharp received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, M.S. in higher education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and Ph.D. in urban education from the University of Wisconsin — Milwaukee.
Sharp will succeed Eric G. McLaren of Aurora, principal at IMSA since 1999 and vice president for academic programs since 2004.
McLaren is a charter staff member at IMSA. He first joined the university as a resident counselor in 1986. Now, as he lives with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, he will continue to advise the IMSA administration and assist with leadership transition, McGee said.
IMSA, at 1500 Sullivan Road in Aurora, is a residential school for some of the top high school students in Illinois, forcusing on mathematics and science.
