Riann van Zyl, PhD was selected to the position of interim director of the School of Aging Studies and began serving in the position on Aug. 12. Van Zyl is currently director of the School of Social Work, and he will remain in this role while simultaneously leading Aging Studies.
Van Zyl has a proven track record in administration. He spent the last five years as professor and director of the School of Social Work. Prior to that, he served as associate dean for research at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. Van Zyl was the head of the Department of Social Work at Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg, South Africa for nine years and senior lecturer for five years. He also served as chair of the Joint University Council on Social Work in South Africa, where he was responsible for developing new accreditation standards.
Van Zyl has conducted important work in field of aging studies. He served as the facilitator for the development of a new national aging policy on behalf of the National Department of Welfare in South Africa. Additionally, while at the University of Louisville, he served as co-principal investigator on the "Interdisciplinary Community - Based Geriatric Training Services Project," a training and evaluation grant sponsored by United States Department of Health and Human Services.
"I am thankful for Dr. Ross Andel’s service to the School of Aging Studies and the college and look forward to seeing him continue his work in aging studies as a faculty member in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University," said College of Behavioral and Community Sciences Dean Julie Serovich. "I am also confident that Dr. van Zyl, along with our dedicated faculty and staff, will continue the School of Aging Studies’ excellence in research and programs aimed at improving the lives of older adults. Please join me in thanking Dr. van Zyl for taking on these additional duties and welcoming him to the School of Aging Studies."