Eastern Washington University’s very own Vickie Shields, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Social Work, was honored in District of Columbia by the National Press Club for her past presidential role of the national Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS).

On Nov. 6 an annual meeting was held by the National Press Club featuring a gala to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the CCAS deans and associate deans. The organization was founded in 1965 with the goal of providing networking and training opportunities, political advocacy and a forum for discussion of contemporary challenges to higher education. The CCAS now has 2,000 deans and associate and assistant deans that belong to over 500 member institutions both nationally and internationally.

Shields held the presidential term in 2010-2011 for the CCAS and said it was her “honor and privilege to represent the nation’s arts and science deans.” The gala recognized past presidents of the organization and reflected on the time they held in office. While serving as president of CCAS, Shields was responsible for leading the organization to improve its effectiveness, ability to serve members and development as the leading spokesman for the liberal arts and sciences. The programs she helped to set up are “Standards of Practice for Colleges of Arts and Sciences” and “The Dean’s Knowledge Base.”

Being the president of CCAS in no way hindered her from taking on other big responsibilities. Shields has been with Eastern Washington University since 2005 and held the position of dean for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Social Work since then. She is not only the head of EWU’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Social Work, she is also a professor of Communication Studies at the school. In her time with the school, Shields has shared her expertise through seminars, doctoral advising and many communications related courses.