Helped Develop New Psychology Master’s Program & Leads College’s Assessment Plan

St. Francis College announces the promotion of Psychology Professor Michele Hirsch to Assistant Academic Dean for the start of the Fall 2011 semester. Dr. Hirsch will be working closing with faculty at the College, specifically with Department Chairs in areas like department assessment and reviewing the College’s core curriculum. Among her other duties will be overseeing the experiential learning program, portfolio reviews, working on retention issues and coordinating adjunct professors.

“Michele has taken on several big projects at St. Francis College and seen them all through successfully,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Timothy J. Houlihan. “She is a great asset to St. Francis and in her new role will be able to better utilize her experience and skills to support our professors and students.”

Dr. Hirsch previously served as the Chair of the Department of Psychology and worked with the entire department, in particular new Chair Jennifer Lancaster, to develop the soon to be approved Five Year Combined Bachelor’s Degree / Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology. In addition to her new role as Assistant Academic Dean she will also retain her title of Director of Assessment, in which she spearheaded the College’s successful effort to improve and document the assessment of student learning.

“I am very excited to serve the College in this new capacity,” said Dr. Hirsch. “The most rewarding part of working at St. Francis is seeing the real, positive impact we have on students. Now I’ll be able to help so many more students, both directly through one-on-one interactions and indirectly by assisting our department chairs.”

First coming to St. Francis in 1997, Professor Hirsch served on a number of faculty standing committees and in 2006 held the position of Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. She was also the first director of the College’s Women’s Studies Center. She earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and French Language & Literature from SUNY Stony Brook, a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Technology Specialty at Adelphi University and a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.

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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu