Dean leaves the lab to lead grad studies at Monmouth University

Michael A. Palladino, Ph.D., vice provost for Graduate Studies at Monmouth University.

"For the first time in 22 years, I did not teach this year," said Michael Palladino. With the ramping up that comes with transitioning from dean of the School of Science and professor of biology to interim vice provost for Graduate Studies, to his recent selection to lead in the role permanently for Monmouth University, it is easy to understand why.

As vice provost, Palladino now oversees Monmouth's 24 graduate programs and current enrollment of 1,800 graduate students, and is responsible for providing leadership and support, assessing excellence, and promoting and achieving goals for graduate education. Following seven years serving as dean of the School of Science, and 16 years total with the university, "I am excited to continue Monmouth's hallmark commitment to transformative learning, including the development of new graduate programs, cross-disciplinary curricula and strategic relationships, like the partnership we have with Meridian Health for our MBA program."

Under his leadership, Monmouth's School of Science saw unprecedented growth, with approximately 40 percent increases in both undergraduate enrollment in science programs and full-time faculty, and garnered approval for a $42 million science building renovation and expansion project, the largest capital project for an academic building in the university's history. With enhanced opportunities supporting faculty-student collaborative research and scholarship as a priority, Palladino also is proud to have led the development of the School's Summer Research Program (SRP), which has been supported by substantial grant funding, from the National Institutes of Health, the state Department of Environmental Protection and others; and an impressive list of corporate partners, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Defined Logic, Johnson & Johnson and others since its inception in 2009.

As dean, he also provided leadership supervising directors for two University Centers of Distinction: the Urban Coast Institute (UCI), created in 2005 in support of science and policy issues relevant to coastal ecosystems and communities; and the Rapid Response Institute (RRI), which operated from 2004 to 2014 to conduct modeling, simulation and software engineering research to support homeland defense and emergency preparedness capabilities.

With an active laboratory of undergraduates, Palladino served as a research mentor for 77 students, who presented research at regional, national and international meetings, and won awards, co-authored publications and received thousands of dollars in research-related grants and scholarships. In addition, Palladino has authored, co-authored or edited more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and delivered more than 100 presentations nationally and internationally.

Palladino is looking forward to growing graduate enrollments and is eager to champion the continued diversification of graduate programs, particularly in the areas of health sciences, where he is leading the efforts to develop the Monmouth University Institute for Health and Wellness (IHW). "We believe this institute can be a game changer for us and our ability to develop new interdisciplinary degree programs that meet the needs of local health care employers, provide opportunities for student and faculty research with collaborators, and help us further engage local communities in support of their education and outreach efforts."

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