NEW ROCHELLE, NY –The College of New Rochelle President Judith Huntington announces the appointment of Danielle F. Wozniak, MSW, PhD, as Dean of The College of New Rochelle School of Arts & Sciences, effective August 1.
“In addition to a distinguished career as a cross-disciplinary scholar, Dr. Wozniak has served in leadership roles for more than a decade. Her colleagues have praised her for fostering a supportive and fulfilling educational environment. As a passionate innovator who has a strong appreciation for CNR’s rich Ursuline heritage and who is deeply committed to student centeredness, she will serve as a visible advocate and champion for the School of Arts & Sciences,” said Dr. Dorothy Escribano, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, The College of New Rochelle.
As Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, Wozniak will be responsible for developing and realigning a strategic vision for the continued excellence of the all-women school that includes creating new programs and initiatives and growing existing programs. Among these new initiatives are the implementation of a revised liberal arts core curriculum as designed by the faculty and collaboration with various divisions and offices on the implementation of a $10 million federal grant recently received by the College for first-time, full–time students.
“I look forward to working with The College of New Rochelle Arts and Sciences students and faculty. We are educating students at one of the most challenging and exciting times in our history. Through a liberal arts education our work is to prepare students not just for fulfilling careers but to prepare young women to be the critical thinkers, problem solvers and leaders the 21st century needs,” explained Wozniak.
Wozniak comes to The College of New Rochelle from the University of New England in Portland, Maine where she was the Director of the School of Social Work, the largest program at the University. During her tenure, she was responsible for significant growth in the online and campus programs. She attributes program growth to content innovation as well as to increased accessibility through low-residency hybrid course offerings.
While Wozniak has leadership experience in social work, she is also passionately committed to the liberal arts. “Futurists suggest that within the next 10-15 years many of our students will be applying for jobs that have not yet been invented. So as liberal arts educators we are preparing students to be competitive in a fluid employment context. My goal is to support our faculty and students as we work together to create the next generation of community leaders. Given the College’s heritage and sensitivity to the enormous social issues that exist, I expect CNR students to be in the forefront of solving these issues,” Wozniak added.
Before the University of New England, Wozniak worked at the University of Montana in various roles, including Co-Director of Sexual Assault Prevention, Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program, and Associate Professor.
Wozniak holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut, a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Administration from the University of Hartford, an MSW from Fordham University, and BA from Miami University of Ohio in English literature. Her research interests are the construction and politics of motherhood, family and gendered identity, domestic violence, and cyber technology as a healing medium. She is the author or co-author of several books including, They’re All My Children: Foster Mothering in America (2001 New York University Press), Consuming Motherhood (2004 Rutgers University Press, with Janelle Taylor and Linda Layne), and Surviving Domestic Violence: A Guide to Healing your Soul and Building Your Future (2013 Adams Media, with Karen Allen).
Wozniak and her research partners at the University of Montana are currently working on another book entitled, Pathways to Healing: Women’s Voices of Reclamation, Hope and Transformation in the Aftermath of Violent Relationships. She is also a founding partner of the cyber simulation game design company called PowerfulME!. The company develops therapeutic computer games that combine mental health interventions and techniques with cutting edge game technology to assist women in making difficult life changes or heal from painful life experiences including recovery from domestic violence.