Akbarali Thobhani is returning to Metro State as interim director of the Office Sponsored Programs

Longtime Metro State professor Akbarali Thobhani has come out of retirement to serve as the interim director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).

Thobhani will be familiar to many in the Metro State community for his 31 years of service to the College as director of the Institute for International and Intercultural Studies and professor of African American Studies. Upon his retirement in 2003, Thobhani was named emeritus professor. Since then he has been studying the Arabic language during extended stays in Morocco.

OSP was moved organizationally in April to the Institutional Advancement division, under the leadership of Vice President and Foundation Executive Director Carrie Besnette, Ph.D. At that time, former OSP Director Betsy Zeller, Ph.D. was named to head the new Office of Globalization.

“We are grateful to Dr. Thobhani for his willingness to guide the Office of Sponsored Programs over this summer and as we search for a permanent director,” Besnette said. “He is highly regarded by the faculty at Metro State and will be an asset to our efforts in the coming months.”

Thobhani officially assumes his duties on Wednesday, May 8. His office will be in 1020 NSP.