Biography
Harry J. Berman
University of Illinois at Springfield
September 6, 2010
Harry J. Berman is Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Human Services at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He holds degrees in psychology from the University of Chicago (BA, 1969) and Washington University (Ph.D., 1974). In 1977 he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Springfield (then Sangamon State University), after having served as an assistant professor of human development at the Fayette Campus of the Pennsylvania State University for three years. He taught courses in human development and aging. He accepted an administrative position in Fall 1994 as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. In January 2001 he assumed responsibility for oversight of graduate education and research administration and in January 2005 he was appointed interim provost, the campus’ chief academic officer, and in August 2005 was appointed provost.
Berman’s research is on the psychology of aging and has addressed topics such as retirement decisions, relations between adult children and aging parents, and the turnover of nurse aides in nursing homes. A major focus of his research has been on personal accounts of the experience of aging. This research was summarized in his book Interpreting the Aging Self: Personal Journals of Later Life and in a chapter on self-representation and aging in the Handbook of the Humanities and Aging, 2nd edition. He is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America. He has edited a volume on nurse aide management in nursing homes, has 14 refereed journal publications, and has presented over 50 refereed or invited presentations on gerontology and on topics in higher education administration at professional conferences. He continues to serve on the editorial board of the Journal of Aging Studies.
Berman has served as president of the Illinois Association of Graduate Schools, as chair of the Publication Committee of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools, and has made presentations at annual meetings of the Council of Graduate Schools, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the National Association of State and Land Grant Universities (now, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities).
Berman chairs the Steering Committee of the Continuum of Learning, a partnership among the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, and the Sangamon County Community Foundation to increase educational attainment and economic opportunity in Springfield and Sangamon County <http://www.continuumoflearning.com/>. He also serves on the United Way board and has completed three years as chair of the board of Prairieland Voices, a vocal ensemble specializing in Renaissance music. His record of community service also includes serving as board member and chair of Senior Services of Central Illinois, board member and president of Congregation Temple Israel, and board member of the Springfield Jewish Federation.
Berman and his wife Deborah, who has had a career as an administrator at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, have two daughters, Leah Berman Williams, who is on the faculty in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Alaska –Fairbanks, and Dara Berman Adkins, who is employed by Wells Fargo Advisers in St. Louis.