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Mercy Welcomes New Deans Peter West, Ph.D. and Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

ercy College College can launch in the fall with academic structures that give welcomed two new dynamic, meaningful experiences every single student the maximum deans during the for students. Beyond that, he has opportunity to succeed. That’s really summer of 2020. spent his first several months important and directly connects with Peter West, Ph.D., “learning about our programs from Mercy’s mission of making higher joined Mercy the inside, learning about the work education more accessible.” College on June 1 our faculty does, learning about our West joined Adelphi in 2008 as the dean of the School of Liberal students and what they find most as an assistant professor of MArts, and Stuart Sidle, Ph.D., joined valuable in the programs, figuring English, and later served as chair on July 1 as the out how best to support our of the English Department, and dean of the School of Social and then associate dean for general Behavioral Sciences. Both bring education and academic services deep commitment and years of for the College of Arts and expertise to their leadership roles Sciences. at Mercy. Throughout his career, West West comes to Mercy from has been deeply involved with where he spent community outreach. “I’ve always the past 12 years. “I am very drawn tried to find partners off-campus to Mercy’s mission,” West said. where students can apply the “And I feel that the School of Liberal learning that they’re doing in the Arts is really well-positioned to give classroom to the world outside,” students the skills they need to he explained. “Internships are succeed — not only the skills to terrific and an integral part of this, get their first jobs but the skills to Peter West, Ph.D. but I want to get students those

help them succeed throughout their West Peter by Photo provided kinds of experiences earlier in their lives.” education as well so that they can Ever since his first visit to the programs and finding opportunities see the value of the work they do.” Dobbs Ferry Campus, West has to partner with the other deans.” West sees the liberal arts — been captivated by the mix of He is excited to find ways for the and by extension, Mercy’s School programs in the School of Liberal School of Liberal Arts to work of Liberal Arts — as absolutely Arts — the more traditional with the other Mercy schools to essential in higher education: “I’m programs such as English and create new minors, certificates or a big believer that the liberal arts history alongside the applied programs that would help all kinds have incredible value in the very programs such as cybersecurity of Mercy students experience the challenges that we’re facing right and music production: “This liberal arts in a hands-on way and now in society — being literate provides such a great opportunity get a leg up in their careers. about information, understanding for students to recognize how those Most recently, West served as the experiences of other people two areas are connected: the skills the associate for student and navigating difference, and being of critical thinking, understanding success at Adelphi University, and responsible and reflective citizens. and navigating difference, being he looks forward to continuing One of the great things about literate people and citizens of similar work in his new role at teaching the liberal arts is that the world — and the hands-on Mercy. “In addition to the mission, you constantly have opportunities skills taught in our more applied I was really drawn to the fact that to connect the learning that takes programs.” the deans at Mercy play a role place in the classroom with the As he determines his initial in improving student success world outside because these skills priorities at Mercy, West notes metrics,” he explained. “Part of a are ultimately transferable to any that the first challenge everyone dean’s work here is helping faculty challenge. So the School of Liberal is tackling is making sure that the design interventions and supporting Arts is really at the center of how

6 | MAVERICK MAGAZINE Fall 2020 “At some organizations, the faculty. I need to make sure that I to questions such as: “Are alumni foster an environment where they working in their field of study or a mission is just something can really focus their time on their related field? Are they happy and teaching and their scholarship. I fulfilled in their careers?” posted on the wall. But at want to help the faculty, staff and In his 17 years at the University students thrive. I want to help of New Haven, he held several roles, Mercy, everyone wants to everybody be their best.” He is also including the associate provost excited to find opportunities for for strategic initiatives and faculty talk about it. That’s such curricular innovation, incorporate development, interim dean of the more community-based learning College of Arts and Sciences, chair a pleasant surprise.” projects and collaborate with of the Department of Psychology other Mercy schools through and Sociology and director of the interdisciplinary research and grants. industrial/organizational psychology we achieve Mercy’s mission and also Most recently, Sidle served as the program. Before joining the of how we solve the challenges of Executive Director of the Center for , he held today’s society.” Teaching Excellence at the University faculty positions at DePaul University West holds a in of New Haven. Passionate about and . English from Emory University and excellence in higher education, he He sees the School of Social a bachelor’s degree with honors in takes great pride in the teaching and Behavioral Sciences as playing English from Wesleyan University. He a critical role in making much- has published two major works and needed change in the world: “Our several scholarly articles on 19th- current issues — the COVID-19 century literature and culture. pandemic, social inequality, Like West, Sidle was also drawn economic concerns, international to Mercy’s mission: “I believe concerns — are all things that are that education is one of the most going to be addressed by people powerful tools to impact social working in the fields supported by mobility. And Mercy’s desire to have SSBS. How will the students in our an impact is extremely inspiring to public administration and health me. I wanted to be in a place where services management programs I could make a difference, and Mercy help transform our hospitals and is that place.” healthcare systems? How will the Since stepping into his new role Stuart Sidle, Ph.D. students in our counseling programs

as dean of the School of Social and Stuart by Photo provided Sidle help people cope with the stress of Behavioral Sciences, he has seen these times? How will the students first-hand that people at Mercy live awards he received at Saint Xavier in our international relations program and breathe its mission: “At some University, DePaul University and the use their global mindset to help organizations, the mission is just University of New Haven. Given solve the pandemic and other world something posted on the wall. But at this deep focus on instruction, problems? It’s really exciting to see Mercy, everyone wants to talk about student and faculty engagement and how people use their education to it. That’s such a pleasant surprise. student outcomes are on his mind help address societal problems.” We’re not just thinking about as he thinks about how to define Beyond teaching, Sidle is actively enrollment, COVID-19 or the budget. success for the School of Social and involved in scholarly research and We’re really focusing on improving Behavioral Sciences: “Regarding consults with companies and students’ lives and giving them new engagement, I would want to know nonprofit organizations. He earned opportunities. We’re talking about answers to questions such as, his master’s degree and doctorate in improving diversity, addressing What type of learning is taking place industrial/organizational psychology social inequality and using inclusive outside the classroom? Are students from DePaul University and his pedagogy.” working on research projects with bachelor’s degree from American People are at the heart of what faculty or service-learning projects University. excites him and drives him: “For in the community? For me, a sign Mercy College is delighted to me, it’s all about the relationships. of engagement is when people go welcome these two deans to the So far, everybody I’ve met is really beyond the assigned hours to do Mercy family and looks forward to fantastic. I’m excited to spend more deep learning with people different seeing the School of Liberal Arts and time with them and collaborate with from themselves outside the the School of Social and Behavioral them. It’s clear already that SSBS classroom. Regarding outcomes, Sciences flourish under their has a very dedicated, very strong I would want to know the answers leadership.

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