Date: Feb 22, 2010

New Dean Appointed for Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz today announced the appointment of Patrick J. Socci as the Dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University.

"Dr. Socci brings a unique and valuable combination of scholarly achievement, business expertise and educational administration background to the position of dean," said President Rabinowitz.  "His experiences and strengths will help position the Zarb School of Business for future growth and continued success."

“I am excited and honored to be a part of the vibrant and active academic community at Hofstra University, certainly one of the leading universities in the Northeast and growing in prestige every day,” said Dr. Socci. “I am looking forward to partnering with the students, faculty, staff and administration to meet and exceed our strategic objectives.”

Dr. Socci spent his career toggling seamlessly between academia and the corporate world.  He has been at Fordham University since 2002 and is now serving as Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration. Earlier in his career, he taught on the undergraduate and graduate levels at Baruch College in Manhattan, the City University of New York’s flagship business school.

In between, Dr. Socci spent 11 years as vice-president of network operations for AT&T and Teleport Communications Group, and also served as senior vice president of engineering at ADC Telecommunications in New Jersey, a leading provider of network infrastructure services. He has also worked in the financial services industry - as a systems manager at Citibank and a vice president of management information systems for Merrill Lynch Hubbard.

During his tenure at Fordham, Socci was instrumental in curriculum development and expansion,
forging corporate partnerships, launching fundraising campaigns, and creating new tools for student recruitment and assessment. He also taught information systems, telecommunications and e-commerce courses at the undergraduate, graduate and executive M.B.A. levels.

Socci has a B.S. in Mathematics from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, an M.A. in Mathematics from St. John’s University in Queens, a PhD in Mathematics from Polytechnic Institute, also in Brooklyn.

Dr. Socci was appointed through a national search for a new dean, administered by a search committee made up of trustees, administrators and faculty.   He will assume his role on July 1, 2010.  The current dean, Salvatore Sodano, will continue his service to Hofstra University in his new role as Senior Executive Adviser to the President for Corporate Relations.

About the Frank G. Zarb School of Business
The Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University believes that the best business education provides students with a sound knowledge of their field combined with a broad, well-rounded program of study guided by an experienced faculty committed to excellence. Recognized by The Princeton Review, BusinessWeek, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes Magazine as being among the top graduate and undergraduate business programs in the country the Zarb School continues to provide its students will a solid educational background that prepares them to excel in their chosen field.  

About Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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