As a new academic year gets underway, the Office of Academic Affairs would like to update faculty and staff on the academic restructuring that took effect August 1. Following recommendations from the Institutional Sustainability Task Force, the university transitioned from a three-unit to a two-unit academic structure. This change is designed to encourage collaboration across academic programs while supporting long-term sustainability. The restructuring maintained all academic programs and faculty positions while creating a framework for increased interdisciplinary collaboration and operational efficiency.
New Academic Leadership Structure
Nancy Wallace, PhD, formerly Dean of the School of Education & Human Services, now serves as Dean of the Division of Arts, Education and Sciences, which includes the:
- School of Education & Leadership Studies
- School of Arts & Social Sciences
- School of Natural Sciences
Shawn O’Rourke, PhD, formerly Dean of the Wehle School of Business, now serves as Dean of the Division of Business, Communication and Health Professions. This division includes the:
- Richard J. Wehle School of Business
- School of Behavioral & Health Studies
- School of Data, Computing and Mathematics
- School of Communication, Marketing & Media
Associate Vice President Irene Holohan-Moyer, PhD, will serve as the administrator for the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Supporting this new structure are six faculty members who have moved into associate dean roles: Richard Bailey, PhD; Katie Costanzo, PhD; Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD; Mark Harrington, PhD; Karl Kozlowski, PhD; and Joshua Russell, PhD.
Additional Leadership Updates
Samantha Brennan was named interim registrar. Sam stepped into a leadership role in the Registrar’s Office in March and has successfully guided the institution through graduation, catalog development, academic restructuring and semester start-up projects.
Fatima Rodriguez-Johnson, EdD, has accepted the role of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Rodriguez-Johnson will continue leading diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as HEOP and COPE programs while joining the Academic Affairs leadership team.
Kira Varada also joined the Office of Academic Affairs on August 11. Kira provides communication and project management support from Bagen 103.
Looking Ahead
The changes noted above represent the first phase of the academic restructuring work. The goal of this first phase was to develop an operational structure that encourages collaboration across all academic programs. The second phase will unfold during the upcoming academic year, with faculty involvement through the Faculty Senate.
