Dear Members of the Seton Hall Community,
I hope you are enjoying the final days of summer before we begin the academic year. As we look forward to the excitement of Move-In Day, I am writing to update you on several items of interest.
Seton Hall made considerable strides in recent weeks with the announcement of Erik Lillquist, J.D., as Interim Provost, launch of the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media and introduction of Bryan Crable, Ph.D., as its Founding Dean.
In addition to these changes, Michele L. Nelson, Ph.D., Vice President for Board Affairs and University Strategy, has accepted a position with the IEEE. Her last day in the office will be August 17. Over three years, she facilitated closer ties between University leadership and the Boards of Regents and Trustees; assisted in developing and implementing Harvest Our Treasures; hosted two Strategy Symposiums; and enhanced communication with the University community about major goals and Board actions. Please join me in thanking Michele for all she has accomplished at Seton Hall and wishing her well in the next chapter of her career. She has been a wonderful colleague and an asset to the University.
As we begin a search for her replacement, I am pleased to appoint Amy F. Newcombe, J.D., as Interim Vice President for Board Affairs and University Strategy. In this role, she will plan, coordinate, streamline and support the work of the Regents and Trustees. Additionally, she will continue implementation of Harvest Our Treasures and communicate Board Affairs initiatives to the University.
Interim Vice President Newcombe has been a member of the law school faculty since 2008 and received its Teacher of the Year Award in 2019. Most recently, she served as Assistant Provost for Faculty Affairs, with responsibility for the faculty’s development, interests and welfare. Among other duties, she worked on standardizing policies that strengthen academic excellence, advance the University’s academic and strategic plan initiatives and support Catholic mission.
As you may have read in the message from Donna McMonagle, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the Board of Regents passed Seton Hall’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024 earlier this summer. In the budget, the Regents provided for employee salary increases should Seton Hall reach enrollment benchmarks for the Fall 2023 semester. If realized, the increases would be implemented consistent with collective bargaining agreements and applicable salary protocols. I will provide an update later this year after the University’s enrollment is finalized.
As you can see, Seton Hall has remained active and vibrant throughout the summer. Thanks to you, we are well-positioned to offer students a new year of excellence in Catholic higher education. I look forward to seeing you on our campuses as we begin the fall semester.
