I am delighted to report to the College community that I have recommended the appointment of Dr. Nan M. Sussman as the Interim Dean for Humanities and Social Sciences at the College of Staten Island, on Monday, Aug. 6, 2012.
Dr. Sussman has many years of experience as a social scientist specializing in the psychology of intercultural relations. She was a Senior Fulbright Research Fellow in Hong Kong and in Japan and has written extensively on cross-cultural identities and on re-migration. Her book, entitled Return Migration and Identity: A Global Phenomenon, A Hong Kong Case, published by Hong Kong University Press, has resulted in many speaking and review invitations, and has been widely acclaimed. Dr. Sussman currently sits on the Hong Kong Research Grants Council; the editorial board of the Intercultural Research Series, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press; and is a consulting editor for the International Journal of Intercultural Relations. She was recently chosen as a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
Dr. Sussman has spent nearly her entire academic career at our College, joining us as the Director of the Center for International Service in the early 1980s, when she was also an Assistant Professor in the PSA Department. She has risen through our ranks to be a Full Professor of Psychology and has been a member of the Doctoral Faculty of CUNY since 2004. She is an outstanding administrator, serving CSI as Dean for College Advancement, Executive Director of the CSI Foundation, Special Assistant to the President for Development, Vice President of the CSI Auxiliary Services Corporation, and Associate Dean of the Faculty. She is an articulate and powerful advocate for the faculty and our institution and was the Chair of the Psychology Department from 2007 to 2010.
Dr. Sussman received her PhD and MA degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas, and a BA in Communications, Anthropology, and Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has additional training at Harvard University and Dartmouth College. During the review process for the Interim Dean position, consultation took place with every Chair of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division and this appointment was strongly supported.
On behalf of myself, the faculty, administration, and staff, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dean Christine Flynn Saulnier who will be assuming the position of Special Assistant to the Provost. She has worked hard to support many College initiatives. Thank you Christine.
