Dear Colleagues:
I hope your first days of summer are off to a great start. As we wind down the 2022-2023 academic year, I write with a few important updates on the senior administrative team, which all go into effect on July 1, the first day of our 91st academic year here at Monmouth.
We have recently concluded searches for three open positions among my direct reports, and I am pleased to share the following results.
Executive Director for Campus Planning and Facilities Management
Tim Orr, who has served this role in an acting capacity since September 2022, will become the permanent executive director. In this role, Tim will oversee the Division of Campus Planning and Facilities Management, responsible for maintaining all buildings and grounds, as well as planning, coordinating, and overseeing all major site work construction, building construction, and major building renovations on campus. I am confident that Tim’s institutional knowledge coupled with his background in mechanical engineering position him well for continued success in this permanent role.
Vice President and General Counsel
Charlene Diana, who has served in an acting role since September 2022, will become the permanent Vice President and General Counsel. In this capacity, Charlene will oversee the Office of the General Counsel, protecting the University’s legal interests and managing the University’s legal affairs. Charlene will also be responsible for managing the Office of Equity and Diversity, the Office of Internal Audit, and the Office of Compliance. I am so pleased that Charlene—a first-generation college graduate who understands the importance of access and the value of a college degree—will be the first female in our University’s history to serve in this important leadership role.
Vice President for Student Life
James (Jim) Pillar, who first joined Monmouth in 1995, will succeed Mary Anne Nagy as Vice President for Student Life. Jim will oversee the areas of campus safety, counseling and prevention services, crisis management, fraternity and sorority life, health services, judicial affairs, off campus and commuter services, residential life, student activities and student operations, transitions and leadership programs, and veteran services. I am grateful to have such a seasoned and well-respected leader as Jim to take on this important role at the university and look forward to working together to enhance the student experience outside of the classroom. As part of planning for this division, the Office of Conference Services and Special Events will be moving to the Division of University Advancement, also effective July 1.
I am grateful to the individuals who served on the search committees for these three positions, and appreciate the time, energy, and recommendations they so graciously shared in service to the university community. Please join me in congratulating Tim, Charlene, and Jim on these appointments. I am confident that they will bring invaluable perspectives and leadership experience to the senior administrative team. I look forward to working alongside them and building on their combined 73 years of institutional knowledge and experience at Monmouth.
Likewise, I am pleased to share my plans for the Division of Finance and the Athletics Department in light of the recently announced retirements of their respective division heads, Bill Craig and Jeff Stapleton.
Vice President for Finance
In the near term, Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller, Mary Byrne, and Associate Vice President for Finance & Budgets, Joseph (Joe) Pingitore, will report directly to me and the Vice President for Finance position will remain vacant. Mary and Joe have each served the University very successfully since they first joined the Monmouth community, and will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Division of Finance. I look forward to working more closely with Mary and Joe in the coming months, and will share future plans for the Division as they become available. Please join me in thanking Mary and Joe for helping to ensure a seamless transition for this important university function.
Director of Athletics
I have decided to name Jennifer (Jen) Sansevero the Acting Director of Athletics. Since first joining Monmouth in 2021, Jen has served the University and the athletics program as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Development/SWA, and the sport administrator for women’s basketball, women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s tennis. Jen is an experienced athletics administrator, deeply committed to student success—both on the field of play and in the classroom. Jen’s impressive experience, her background in law and compliance, and her enduring commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus will position her nicely for success in this new role. Please join me in congratulating Jen on her new role at the University.
In addition to the appointments outlined above, the internal search for the Interim Provost continues in earnest, with the aim to have the newly appointed provost in place by July 31. I have established a search committee that will soon be reviewing the application materials from all eligible candidates, which are due to me by end of day on Friday, June 30. Until then, please continue to submit nominations directly to me at Patrick.Leahy@monmouth.edu.
Thank you in advance for your support of these transitions. As always, if you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
Sincerely,
Pat
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President