Former Nassau Comm. College President Sean Fanelli appointed Interim Dean

Hofstra University is pleased to announced the appointment of former Nassau Community College President Sean Fanelli as the new interim dean of the School of Education, effective January 1, 2012. Dr. Fanelli first joined Hofstra in 2010 as an adjunct professor of leadership and director of the university’s Higher Education Master’s program.  As president of NCC for 27 years, Dr. Fanelli brings a wealth of experience and an unparalleled record as an educator and administrator  as one of the leading community colleges in the state and the nation.

He has also held leadership positions at Westchester Community College and has served on a variety of boards and commissions, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), American Council on Education (ACE), the board of directors of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).  Honored for many achievements in education and administration, Dr. Fanelli is also the proud recipient of the American Association of University Professors’ Alexander Meiklejohn Award for Academic Freedom and the William J. Brennan Award for his protection of free speech and academic freedom in the academy.

He holds a Ph.D. in biological sciences from Fordham University, and has taught courses in this area throughout his career.  His achievements and knowledge are invaluable assets to the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies M.S.Ed. program.

He replaces Nancy Halliday, who is stepping down as interim dean of the School of Education as of December 31, 2012, to focus her energy on being chair of the Health Studies and Kinesiology Department. 

"I look forward to working with the faculty and staff of the School in continuing Hofstra's rich history in serving the Education community, " Dr. Fanelli said.