Seton Hall University Appoints New Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Wednesday, June 30th, 2021
Described as a strategic leader, distinguished scholar and an accomplished administrator, Dr. Frierson is a licensed clinical psychologist trained in health psychology. She is also recognized for her strong commitment to diversity education and research training, having worked throughout her career to improve outcomes of women with breast cancer in medically underserved and under-represented populations.
Dr. Frierson currently serves as the interim vice president of Academic Affairs at D’Youville College in Buffalo NY. In this leadership role she oversees the School of Arts, Sciences and Education, the School of Health Professions, the School of Nursing and the School of Pharmacy. She joined D’Youville College in 2019 when she was appointed dean of the School of Arts, Sciences and Education (SASE), a position she continues to retain while also serving as the interim vice president.
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Frierson to Seton Hall University. Her great academic and professional experience, her higher education knowledge and clinical work, along with her contagious enthusiasm and optimism make her a great leader," said Katia Passerini, Ph.D., Seton Hall University provost and executive vice president. "I am confident that she will work with the faculty and the administration in the many opportunities our strategic plan offers the University community."
"During my interview with the College of Arts and Sciences' community, I knew I had found my new academic home. The passion, dedication, and commitment from the faculty, staff and students to the mission and vision of Seton Hall were clearly perceived from their enthusiasm," said Dr. Frierson. "With the College being the foundation of Seton Hall's liberal arts education, I am honored and excited to be their next academic leader."
While at D'Youville College, Dr. Frierson has increased and re-configured leadership positions in both the School of Arts, Sciences and Education and the School of Health Professions; submitted new program proposals to the New York State Education Department; engaged in union contract negotiations; and enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. As dean, she oversaw the implementation of SASE's redesigned core curriculum; creatively grew student enrollment; and acted as a driving force for the creation of new degree programs, including the development of a Psy.D. program in clinical psychology.
Prior to D'Youville College, Dr. Frierson spent four years at Rowan University, a Carnegie-classified national doctoral research institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 20,000 students. While at Rowan she served as the department head and as a professor in the Department of Psychology. She was also the inaugural director of the AP- accredited clinical psychology Ph.D. program, and in 2017-18 was appointed the Dean’s Fellow of Graduate Education for Rowan University’s College of Science and Mathematics - School of Health Professions.
A dedicated member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Frierson has chaired many committees within the association over the years, including recently being elected chair of the APA Commission on Accreditation and 2022 chair-elect of the Society for Health Psychology Program, APA National Convention. She also continues to serve as associate editor of APA's Training and Education in Professional Psychology Journal. Over the course of her career, and in collaboration with colleagues, her work has appeared in dozens of peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters, with at least three manuscripts in preparation.
Dr. Frierson earned an M.A. in clinical psychology and Ph.D. in behavioral medicine, health psychology and quantitative psychology from The Ohio State University. She completed her residency in clinical psychology and her postdoctoral training in clinical health psychology at The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. She earned her B.A. in psychology and graduated with honors from Hampton University, one of the country's best known Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). For the past decade, she has been a mentor to minority doctoral students in psychology.
Dr. Frierson will replace Dean Peter Shoemaker, who has served in the role of dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2016. Dr. Shoemaker will remain at Seton Hall and is assuming the role of Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Assessment.
The Office of the Provost wishes to thank the members of the search committee, led by Professor Kelly M. Goedert in the Department of Psychology, for their efforts to identify and recommend candidates for this noteworthy appointment. All are asked to join in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Frierson on her appointment as the newest dean at Seton Hall University.
Categories: Arts and Culture
