New Paltz selects Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

NEW PALTZ – Dr. Stella Deen has been appointed Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences effective July 1, 2013. She will serve in this capacity while a national search is conducted for a new dean. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the largest academic unit at New Paltz, has 16 departments and programs offering majors to about 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students primarily in the humanities and social sciences.

Dr. Stella Deen

Deen, Associate Professor in the English Department, served as Interim Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School during 2010-11. She was responsible for coordinating assessments for academic programs and support areas that report to the Office of the Provost. She also oversaw the General Education program.

She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service in 2007, and has taught at New Paltz for 19 years and served as chair of the English Department for four years. Under her guidance, the department, which has approximately 25 full-time faculty and more than 50 part-time faculty, completed a five-year self-study and revised the undergraduate major, as well as a number of graduate level courses. Deen also serves on the Academic Affairs Committee.

“Stella Deen brings to this position a strong scholarly and teaching background as well as significant administrative experience. I am confident that she will work during this interim period to ensure that our students continue to have a solid foundation in the liberal arts,” said Provost Philip Mauceri.

In 2007, Deen was appointed as co-chair of the Campus Facilities Planning Task Force, which worked with an architectural planning consultant to develop a campus facilities master plan. The plan now serves as a guide in overall campus appearance, campus circulation, accessibility, sustainability and the desired future location of building projects.

Deen received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia; her Licence en lettres modernes at the University of Paris III; and her B.A. (summa cum laude) from Hamilton College.

“We have very strong liberal arts programs in place at New Paltz, and I look forward to working with department chairs and faculty to enhance these and to advance the student learning goals outlined in our recently ratified Liberal Arts & Sciences Vision Statement,” said Deen.