Five Women Scholars Selected for Dean Positions

Nicole Leeper Piquero has been selected to serve as interim dean of the Graduate School at the University of Miami. She has been with the university for four years, serving as a professor of sociology and criminology.

Dr. Piquero holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. all in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland.

Melissa Cole has been appointed as the permanent dean of the College of Nursing at John Carroll University in Ohio after serving as interim dean for the past year. She first joined the university in 2022 as director of nursing and strategic healthcare initiative.

Dr. Cole received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ursuline College in Ohio, a master’s degree from the University of Tampa, and doctor of nursing practice degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cass Kvenild has been named dean of University of Wyoming Libraries after holding the position in the interim for the past year. She has held several leadership positions with the university including associate dean of libraries and assistant dean of scholarship and research.

Kvenild holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wyoming and a master of library sciences degree from the University of Washington.

Josie Brown has been named dean of the Hillyer College and the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. She most recently served as the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Brown is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where she double-majored in English and African American studies. She holds a master’s degree in English from Queens College in New York and a Ph.D. in English literature and culture from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Xan Arch has been appointed dean of the Portland State University Library in Oregon. She most recently served as dean of the library at the University of Portland.

Arch holds a bachelor’s degree in English and French literatures and a master’s degree in English literature from Stanford University, as well as a master of library and information science degree from San Jose State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in education and leadership from Pacific University.