College of Arts and Sciences Appoints New Dean  

The Office of the Provost recently announced the appointment of Dr. Peter W. Shoemaker as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1, 2016. Dr. Shoemaker is a distinguished academician who possesses the experience, portfolio and vision needed to effectively lead the College.

A scholar of 17th century French literature and culture, Dr. Shoemaker is the author of over 15 peer-reviewed journal articles and two scholarly books. Areas of special interest include rhetoric and literature, the social history of literature, the novel and the Moralists. He received his Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Princeton University in 1997, where Dr. Shoemaker was a Jacob Javitts Fellow and the recipient of a French Government Fellowship (Bourse Chateaubriand) that enabled him to study at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris from 1994 – 1995. He also holds an M.A. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Princeton and a B.A. in French from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Shoemaker is currently serving as vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies, director of the University Honors Program and associate professor of French at The Catholic University of America (CUA). His collective responsibilities have included several aspects of academic administration and strategic planning, including initiatives and programs designed to improve retention of first-year students, review of the general education curriculum and assessment of student learning outcomes. In addition, Dr. Shoemaker has worked collaboratively with faculty, staff and students across The Catholic University of America campus to develop a sustainability program and agenda that includes an experiential component for students.

Prior to joining The Catholic University of America community in 2000, Dr. Shoemaker taught at Princeton University and Macalester College. As a member of the CUA faculty, he taught numerous courses in French language, literature and culture at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as the University’s Honors Program, and was the recipient of a Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2006 – 2007.

The Office of the Provost wishes to thank the members of the search committee, led by Dr. John T. Saccoman, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, for their efforts to identify and recommend candidates for this noteworthy appointment. All are asked to join in congratulating Dr. Shoemaker on his appointment and welcoming him and his family to the Seton Hall University community.