I hope that this mid-summer email finds you well and that you are enjoying the warm weather. I write with some important information and updates concerning staffing transitions here at CSI.
As many of you are aware, the Athletics Program has been led by T.J. Tibbs for the past 18 months, and the campus is grateful to T.J. for the leadership he has shown and the hard work he has put in to keep the staff and our student-athletes engaged and committed to our (now-successful!) transition to NCAA Division II status. Thank you, T.J., for a job incredibly well-done. After a national search that included exhaustive interviews, conversations with internal and external stakeholders, and a rigorous assessment, we are pleased to welcome Chase Licata as our next Director of Athletics and Recreation. Chase is coming to CSI as the former Associate Directror of Athletics at St. Francis College (Brooklyn), a Division I institution whose student body reflects our own in terms of demographics and diversity. A former college athlete himself, Chase has held a wide variety of progressive leadership positions within college athletics, and has a reputation for “rolling up his sleeves” to get the job done. Chase has experience in leveraging facilities to achieve fiscal solvency and knows the role that college athletics can play in recruitment, retention, and in enrollment management. I am excited to partner with Chase as we enter a new and dynamic period for CSI and, especially, for intercollege athletics. Chase begins his tenure on Monday, Aug. 22.
Additionally, the institution is pleased to welcome (back) Cheryl Adolph as Interim Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and of the CSI Foundation. Cheryl had previously worked at CSI (2016-2021), most recently in the role she will now encumber. A true friend of the College with deep roots in the community, Cheryl brings a wealth of experience and robust understanding of the role, and what is required to be successful here. With a strong background in donor cultivation, fundraising, financial management, and revenue generation, I am confident that Cheryl will be an asset to our team and I look forward to working with her on a number of important upcoming events. Cheryl assumes her new role on Thursday, Aug. 25. I want to thank Kim Williams, who served as Interim AVP for Institutional Advancement and Interim Executive Director of the CSI Foundation, for her contributions to the College over the past 12 months.
The College also welcomes the return of Catherine Ferrara to the position of Interim Title IX/ADA 504 Compliance Officer. Cathy had previously encumbered this role, as well as that of Chief Diversity Officer, during a prior term of service at CSI. Upon the recommendation of the Middle States site evaluation team, the positions were split, and Victoria Ajibade has been admirably performing both roles while we conducted searches for permanent staff. Victoria will remain as CDO while Cathy assumes this role, and I am confident that they will prove to be a powerful combination to assist faculty, staff, and students. Cathy started her role on Wednesday, Aug. 3.
Until next time,
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
