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Aurora University taps Dean to lead the School of Arts and Sciences

Aurora University has selected Karol Dean, Ph.D. to lead the School of Arts and Sciences. She joined the university in January 2020, bringing more than two decades of academic experience to the post.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Dean served as the Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Science and Professor of Psychology at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. In this leadership role, she ensured the quality of the academic offerings of the School, reviewed and developed faculty and staff, and focused on the development and review of academic programs. 

Over her academic career, Dr. Dean also has held the positions of Dean of Chatham College for Women at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Penn., and Assistant Provost, and Psychology Department Chair at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, Calif. A tenured professor of Psychology, Dr. Dean has taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. After completing her doctoral studies in 1995, she was an affiliated faculty member at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Dean holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, cum laude, from Boston University. She received her Master of Arts degree in Personality Psychology and her Ph.D. in Personality Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.  Dr. Dean has published and presented in the areas of sexual aggression, assessment of student learning, women’s academic leadership, and effective teaching of psychology, among other areas. 

Dr. Dean is on the Executive Committee of the American Psychological Association, Society for Psychology of Women, and holds the office of Treasurer. She also serves on the Governing Board of the Association for Women in Psychology, in addition to being a member of several other professional organizations.