Three Women Among the Four Finalists for Dean of Students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst has announced a field of four finalists for the position of dean at students at the flagship state university. All four candidates will visit campus by November 1 for interviews and public forums. Three of the four finalists are women.

Cara D. Appel-Silbaugh is the senior associate dean of students at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. She has held this post since 2011. Dr. Appel-Silbaugh is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she majored in film studies. She earned a master’s degree in college student personnel at Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. in college student personnel administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Amy Franklin-Craft is the former director of residence life, housing, and student conduct at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. She held this position from August 2014 to July 2017. Dr. Franklin-Craft holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration and a master’s degree in higher education counseling from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She earned a Ph.D> in higher, adult, and lifelong education from Michigan State University.

Elizabeth Moriarty is the director of residence like and housing at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. Dr. Moriarty is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in human development, counseling, and family studies from the University of Rhode Island and a doctorate in educational leadership from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.