Iona College Announces Appointment of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

New Rochelle, NY (April 17, 2012) -- Iona College is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian J. Nickerson, PhD, to the position of provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs effective immediately.

This appointment follows an extensive, national search spearheaded by an internal committee in consultation with the College’s Board of Legal Trustees. “Dr. Nickerson’s academic acumen, high ethical standards and compassionate leadership embody the future of Iona College,” said Joseph E. Nyre, PhD, president of Iona College. “I look forward to all Dr. Nickerson will bring to Iona College as our Provost.”

Nickerson was selected for his wealth of knowledge, skill, experience and academic vision. As provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, he will serve as the chief academic officer of the College with responsibility for academic and shared administrative leadership.

"I am thankful for this opportunity to work with the entire college community in gaining rightful recognition of Iona College as a truly excellent institution. The College is comprised of faculty and staff dedicated to the noble cause of education and service to others and I am hopeful my efforts honor this commitment," said Dr. Nickerson.

A graduate of Iona College where he earned his BA in political science, Nickerson holds a PhD in political science from SUNY Albany and a JD and MPA from Pace University. He served most recently as the interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Iona College. Prior to this position, Nickerson served as dean of the School of Arts & Science at Iona where he worked with faculty to develop numerous new or substantially revised academic programs and majors, created a Learning Communities program and managed program accreditations. Among Nickerson's other accomplishments as dean were the acquisition of the Thomas Paine archives and the initiation of the first academic institute dedicated to the study of Thomas Paine.

Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs.

For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu