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The Setonian
Dr. Jonathan Farina has been named permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Jonathan Farina named Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and tenured English professor was appointed permanent dean of the college on Monday.

Dr. Jonathan Farina joined Seton Hall in 2009 as an English professor. Since then, he has taken on many roles in the University. He served as the chair of the Faculty Senate from 2018 to 2022, special adviser to the provost for strategy implementation from 2021 to 2022, and associate provost for undergraduate education and assessment from 2022 to 2023. For two years, he served as interim dean.

In an email to the university community, Deputy Provost Erik Lillquist, J.D., said he has worked with Farina in various roles over the past decade.

“I am delighted to make this announcement, knowing the A&S community and our broader University will continue to benefit from [Farina’s] intellect, creativity, energy and dedication,” Lillquist wrote. 

Farina developed a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in law and philosophy, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and a five-year B.S./Master of Science (M.S.) dual degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, physics and engineering. He also established the STEM Undergraduate Research Award, with 41 student participants, revitalized the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council, increased fundraising in the college, and facilitated the hiring of more than 32 full-time faculty members as interim dean, according to Lillquist.

As Dean, Farina will synchronize Arts and Sciences initiatives with the University’s strategic plan, integrate liberal arts and sciences throughout the University, increase graduate enrollment, improve yield and distributions of majors evenly within the college, and more according to Lillquist.

Farina earned his B.S in management with a finance concentration and English major from Boston College in 2002. He earned his Master of Arts (M.A.,) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English language and literature from New York University in 2008.

Dominique Mercadante is the Editor in Chief of The Setonian. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.

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