Four Universities Announce the Appointment of Women to Dean Positions

Ariela Sofer was appointed interim dean in the Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She was associate dean for administration and faculty affairs at the engineering school. Dr. Sofer joined the faculty at the university in 1984.

Dr. Sofer received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in operations research from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. She received a doctorate in operations research from the George Washington University.

Shaily Menon will be the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. at the University of New Haven in Connecticut. She will begin her new job on July 1. Dr. Menon is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Before joining St. Joseph’s, she served as associate dean for research, facilities planning, and community engagement in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

Dr. Menon earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in animal physiology from Bombay University in India. She holds a master’s degree in animal behavior and ecology from the University of South Carolina and a Ph.D. in in zoology, natural resources, and anthropology from Ohio State University.

Soyica Colbert was named interim dean of the college at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Colbert is the Idol Family Professor of the College of Arts and Sciences and has been serving as vice dean of the faculty. She joined the faculty in 2013. Her latest book, Radical Vision: A Biography of Lorraine Hansberry (Yale University Press, 2021), will be released in April.

Dr. Colbert is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she majored in English. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Usha Menon was appointed dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida. She will alo serve as senior associate vice president of USF Health. She has served as interim dean since Februry. Dr. Menon joined the College of Nursing in 2018 as vice dean of research. Earlier, Dr. Menon served as a tenured professor and associate dean of research and global innovation at the University of Arizona-Tucson College of Nursing.

Dr. Menon is a graduate of Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, where she majored in nursing. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in nursing science from Indiana University.

Related Articles

Latest News

Data Shows High Attrition Rates for Women in STEM Degree Programs

For women who began their four-year college career in a STEM discipline, 14 percent dropped out of college and 32 percent switched to a non-STEM major before earning their degree.

Monique Guillory Named Ninth President of Dillard University

Dr. Guillory has served as Dillard University's interim president for the past seven months. Her background includes over three decades of higher education administration experience.

Lynne Coy-Organ Is the First Woman President of Husson University

Lynne Coy-Organ has been named the first woman president of Husson University in Maine. She has served as the university's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the past 15 years.

Donna Hedgepath Will Be the First Woman President of Wayland Baptist University

Current provost of Campbellsville University in Kentucky, Donna Hedgepath, has been named president of Wayland Baptist University in Texas, making her the first woman to be selected for the position.

Three Women Scholars Appointed to Provost Positions

The new provosts are Elizabeth Dumont at the University of California, Merced, Marguerite Giguette at Xavier University in New Orleans, and Margaret Brown Marsden at Midwestern State University in Texas.

Lecturer in Stage Management

The Lecturer in Stage Management will be responsible for teaching three courses and stage managing three Main Stage shows in the Department of Theater and Performance Studies production season.

Vice President for Finance and Enrollment Services

The Vice President for Finance and Enrollment Services is the Chief Financial Officer and principal advisor to the President on all matters related to the management and oversight of business and financial affairs of the College at all campuses and locations, the Foundation, and budgeting oversight for grants.

Assistant Professor in Metabolism Research

The Morgridge Institute for Research, in partnership with the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, seeks a joint tenure track assistant professor to lead a vibrant metabolism-focused research program.

Executive Assistant to the President

The Executive Assistant to the President plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the President's Office at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), ensuring seamless administrative support that reflects the institution's high standards of professionalism and service.

Acquisitions Librarian

The Acquisitions Librarian responsibilities have an emphasis on one-time, profile-based and approval plan acquisitions that support the general collection, Special Collections and Area Studies.