Dr. Dennis Anderson has been named provost and senior vice-president for academic affairs, effective immediately. He is a passionate educator committed to providing St. Francis College (SFC) students with a high-quality education and opportunities to succeed in the modern world. As the chief academic officer aligned with SFC Forward, Anderson will work with faculty, staff and students to develop and implement academic programs that meet the needs of the 21st-century learner.

With more than 25 years of leadership experience across various sectors, including higher education, civil society, non-profits and international organizations, Anderson has made significant contributions. Most recently, he served as chair and professor of management and information technology at St. Francis College, where he has taught since 2010. An ardent advocate for technology-enhanced learning, sustainability and entrepreneurship, Anderson holds the role of founding executive chair of the Center for Entrepreneurship. Previously, he served as a tenured professor of information systems and associate dean at Pace University, where he founded the university's Center for Advanced Media, among other achievements.

His educational background is extensive, encompassing a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in mathematics education from Columbia University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Teachers College, respectively, an Ed.M. in instructional technology and media from Columbia University's Teachers College, an M.S. in computer science from New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and a B.A. in computer science from Fordham University.

A strong believer in open and transparent governance that is based on mutual respect, Anderson has lectured about good governance for more than 20 years and practiced shared governance when he was an associate dean at Pace and, most recently, as a department chair at SFC. He welcomes the opportunity to build a strong foundation for a better future for all members of the College community. To that end, Anderson is looking forward to hosting open forums where ideas can be freely exchanged.

In related news, Dr. Jennifer Lancaster will return to the psychology department at SFC as a tenured professor. She has served as vice-president for academic affairs and academic dean since 2017. During her 23-year tenure at the College, Lancaster has made significant contributions to its academic mission, overseeing the development of new academic programs, supporting faculty research and strengthening student learning outcomes. We are grateful for her many years of service and look forward to her continued contributions as a key member of SFC's faculty.

“Please join me in thanking Dr. Lancaster and Dr. Anderson for their service to the College,” said SFC's acting president, Tim Cecere. “Their dedication and hard work make a significant impact on our institution, and we are grateful for their contributions.”