Fairfield University Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Fitzgerald, S.J., announced today that Renée White, a sociology and Black studies professor has been named the dean of Arts and Sciences at Simmons College in Massachusetts. Regarded as a leading expert in her field, White begins her new position at the Boston-based school on September 1.

"I am extremely proud of her many accomplishments here at Fairfield and wish her great success in her leadership position at Simmons," said Fitzgerald.

White has taught at Fairfield University since 2005, and served as the director of the Black Studies program. She was also the academic coordinator for Diversity and Global Citizenship, and a member of the board of advisors for the College of Arts and Sciences . "Virtually everything that I have experienced at Fairfield has contributed to my preparation for my new role at Simmons College. I'm excited about this opportunity, and it's really an unexpected pleasure," said White.

While at Fairfield, White was a facilitator of the university's Global Citizenship core pathway, a member of the Brinkman Student Diversity Grant advisory committee, a facilitator of the Global Citizenship annual focus, and most recently, as co-chair of the President's Institutional Diversity Council. "During her years here at Fairfield, Professor White has had a profound effect on the continuing evolution of the university as we seek unity in diversity, inclusive excellence, and global concern," added Fitzgerald.

Outside the classroom, White is an advisor to the steering committee for the International Consortium for Higher Education, Democracy, and Civic Responsibility and the Council of Europe. She also participates in the statewide Health Equity Alliance dialogues, and has served on the Institutional Review Board of the Hispanic Health Council. White also worked as the editor of the Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Children and Youth , and now serves in an advisory capacity for the Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services . "What is a great loss for Fairfield is, of course, a huge gain for Simmons, yet I trust that the many bonds of friendship and professional collaboration that Professor White has formed with members of our academic community will stretch and not break," said Fitzgerald.

As dean of the Simmons College School of Arts and Sciences, White will lead Simmons's undergraduate women's college and co-educational graduate programs. She also will oversee educational leadership, financial management, faculty and curricular review and development, tenure and promotion, participation in campus-wide strategic initiatives, community outreach, and resource development for the undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Arts and Sciences.

"Renée White is a brilliant scholar who is poised to lead the School of Arts and Sciences in an exemplary manner," said Simmons College Provost Charlena Seymour. "Her love of teaching and learning is evident in everything that she does."

Before joining Fairfield University, White worked at Purdue University and Central Connecticut State University. She received her master's and doctorate degree in sociology from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University.

Posted On: 05-02-2011 11:05 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 292