Dear Colleagues:

As mentioned on my most recent open call, in recognition of your dedication to Monmouth University and our students throughout the academic year, the senior administration and I are pleased to again offer a revised Summer Work Schedule for the months of June and July, applicable to all eligible staff members.

Full-time staff and administrative personnel may, upon consultation with their supervisors, take advantage of paid Fridays off, commencing on June 7 and concluding on July 26. The adjusted schedule will provide seven additional paid leave days during the summer. Additionally, Juneteenth will be observed as a university holiday on Friday, June 21.

During the period of the Summer Work Schedule, all employees are expected to adhere to their normal working hours from Monday through Thursday. Employees who are presently on a four-day flex schedule will be required to return to a standard schedule starting the workweek beginning Thursday May 30 and may reapply for the flex schedule post the summer schedule period. Employees who work less than 36.25 hours per week or fewer than 52 weeks per year will participate in the Summer Work Schedule on a pro-rata basis.

The University will maintain operations on Fridays throughout the summer, meaning that certain areas will require appropriate staffing. I have instructed division heads to exhibit flexibility with staff members who must work on Fridays, ensuring that suitable alternative days off are provided during the current calendar year.

If you have any questions regarding the Summer Work Schedule, please contact the Office of Human Resources directly at (732) 571-3470.

I hope this modified summer work arrangement will afford you well-deserved rest. I also encourage you to utilize your standard vacation days during this period, to ensure that you return refreshed and invigorated, ready to support our students in the upcoming academic year.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

I am writing with an update on the search for our new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Over the past several weeks, the seven person search committee—comprised of faculty, administrator, and student representatives—considered nearly 50 applicants from across the country and a wide range of institutions. Following a series of on-campus interviews with three highly qualified finalists, and after reviewing stakeholder feedback on each of them, the search committee was unanimous in its selection. 

I am pleased to share with you the appointment of Dr. Richard (Rich) Veit, currently serving in the interim role, as our new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Veit’s appointment is effective immediately, and I am confident that he will continue to build on his early successes as Interim Provost.

A 29-year veteran of Monmouth, Dr. Veit is a Professor in the Department of History and Anthropology. Over the span of his career at Monmouth, Dr. Veit has developed extensive leadership experience, serving as an undergraduate program director, graduate program director, faculty athletic representative, Faculty Council chair, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning director, department chair, as well as associate dean and interim dean of the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, he recently served as co-chair of the Middle States Steering Committee.

Dr. Veit’s many contributions to Monmouth have been recognized at several points throughout his career. In 2007, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award and in 2019, was named the inaugural recipient of the Eugene Simko Faculty Leadership Award. He is an esteemed educator and respected administrator, and also a notable scholar whose service to Monmouth has enriched our University community in countless ways.

I look forward to seeing Dr. Veit’s continued contributions as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and to working alongside him in support of our students towards our goal of being a national leader in the integration of excellence and access. I am also grateful to the members of the search committee—Christine Benol, Ped Daneshgar, Rose Knapp, Bob McCaig, Emily Miller-Gonzalez, Jake Sweeney, and Michele Van Volkom—who worked diligently over the past few months to help narrow a robust and competitive applicant pool.

Please join me in thanking the search committee for a job well done, and in congratulating Dr. Veit on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Colleagues:

As I shared on yesterday’s open call, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer (Jen) Sansevero as the University’s eighth director of athletics, effective immediately. This decision reflects our confidence in her vision and her proven commitment to our athletic community.

Jen’s impact on our athletics program since her arrival in 2021 has been significant. Academically, our student-athletes recorded the highest grade-point average in history, earning national recognition from the NCAA for academic progress rate (APR) scores. In addition, a total of 451 student-athletes were recognized this past fall by the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) with a spot on the Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.

During her time as acting director of athletics, Monmouth won regular season championships in field hockey and men’s soccer, with both teams advancing to the CAA title games, along with the women’s soccer program which advanced to the CAA Championship match. Monmouth’s brand visibility has also expanded under her leadership, with 28 home games through the fall and winter seasons airing live on linear TV networks such as SNY and NBC Sports Philadelphia, as well as nationally televised road contests on CBS Sports Network and FS1.

Jen is actively engaged in multiple areas across campus, contributing to the holistic development of student-athletes. She is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education, a member of the University’s Enrollment Planning Committee, and serves on the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity & Inclusion. She has helped organize Monmouth’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day event, the department’s Pride Night celebration, and Black History Month programming—demonstrating her profound commitment to our student-athletes, and her ongoing work to ensure an inclusive environment for all in Monmouth Athletics.

With nearly two decades of experience in Division I athletics, Jen embodies the depth of knowledge and passion required for this role. She was a standout softball player at Mount St. Mary’s University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in history, graduating Cum Laude in 2004. She later worked at Mount St. Mary’s from 2008-12, in the role of assistant athletic director for NCAA compliance/senior woman administrator. Her experience includes Division I leadership positions at Wagner College and UNC Greensboro. In 2008, she earned a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law.

Please join me in congratulating Jen on her promotion, and in offering her our enthusiastic support as she leads Monmouth Athletics into a promising future.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

I hope the spring semester is off to a strong start. Thank you for all the ways you continue to challenge—and support—our students.

I write today with an important update regarding the senior administrative team. In the coming days, we will launch searches for the permanent Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs position and the permanent Director of Athletics. Before we initiate these two senior-level searches, I wanted to share an overview of the intended search process for each position.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs: Following recent conversations with the Faculty Council, I have decided to launch the search for the permanent Provost, commencing as soon as practicable. While I will be focused on identifying internal candidates for this position, this search will also be open to external candidates, consistent with our hiring policies for academic leadership positions. An eight-person search committee will be comprised of 3 faculty members, elected by the Faculty Council; 3 administrators, appointed by me; and 1 student, appointed by the Student Government Association. I will personally chair the committee. Once we identify all of the members, the committee will convene soon after the position is officially posted.

Director of Athletics: As is my customary practice since I started at Monmouth, I will launch the search for the Athletic Director first for internal candidates. We have a deep talent pool among our employees at Monmouth, and internal searches allow valued members of our University community to step into new roles and to advance their careers. If an internal search does not yield a successful candidate within the designated timeframe, then I will expand the search to include external candidates. Similarly, I will chair a small search committee, which will be comprised of administrators, coaches, and a student/athlete.

As always, if you have questions, please reach out to me directly at president@monmouth.edu. We look forward to initiating these important searches soon.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of one of our students, Madison Rochelle Alfano. Madison was a first-year student in the Honors School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communication. She was also a highly valued member of the University Athletics Equipment student staff. She died on Saturday, January 13, 2024 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

The University grieves the tragic and untimely loss of a member of our community and extends its deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and fellow students at this most difficult time. Flags on campus have been lowered in Madison’s honor.

As the Monmouth University family mourns Madison’s passing, support services are available for students, faculty, and staff through Counseling and Prevention Services at 732-571-7517 or the Office of Student Life at 732-571-3417. Students can also utilize Uwill services—our mental telehealth provider offering night and weekend support—for free and confidential teletherapy at 833-646-1526.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. at the Scarpaci Funeral Home in Staten Island, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Holy Child R.C. Church in Staten Island, New York.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Office of Student Life. And, please take a moment today, in your own way, to think of Madison and her family.

Thank you.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his extraordinary commitment to social justice and racial equality. In his address at Monmouth on Oct. 11, 1966, King remarked, “Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals…”

We are fortunate to be part of a community that develops, challenges, and supports individuals dedicated to ensuring that human progress continues to move forward towards inclusivity, equality, and social justice. With that good fortune comes the responsibility to confront the realities of rampant economic inequality, racial and social unrest, political divisiveness, global climate change, and financial uncertainty.

As part of our ongoing commitment to understanding these issues, I hope you will set aside time on Wednesday, Jan. 31 for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Lecture on Social Justice, organized by the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion. The featured speaker is Anneliese Singh, Ph.D., LPC, professor and chief diversity officer/associate provost for Diversity and Faculty Development at Tulane University, author of “The Racial Healing Handbook,” and co-founder of the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition and the Trans Resilience Project.

I am grateful for the persistent work of our students and colleagues and the intentional efforts across our campus to foster a truly welcoming and inclusive community.  

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

As we near the end of another remarkable semester and year, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on our shared achievements throughout Monmouth’s 90^th year, and draw inspiration from the promise of our future. Please enjoy this short video celebrating our collective accomplishments from the past year.

Our students continue to thrive under the caring guidance of our faculty, with the support of staff, coaches, and our entire campus team. Together, we continue to reflect the spirit of excellence that has been the hallmark of our institution for nine decades. I look forward to the New Year and the many more achievements that lie ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing with important updates about organizational restructuring of the Office of the General Counsel, the Division of Student Life, and the Office of Human Resources, in order to better serve our various constituencies.

As part of the reorganization, Nina Anderson, director of the Office of Equity and Diversity will now report into the Office of Human Resources. Her new title will be director of diversity, equity and inclusion. She will continue to provide oversight of nondiscrimination policies; compliance with state and federal laws and regulations related to equal opportunity and affirmative action; investigations of violations of policies and procedures for discrimination and sexual harassment; bias incident reporting involving employees or visitors to campus; and, compliance with the University’s Title IX, ADA 504, and protection of minor children on campus policies.

Amy Arlequin, deputy Title IX coordinator and Clery Compliance Officer, has been named the assistant dean of students, and will report into the Division of Student Life. In her new role, she will provide oversight of the following areas: compliance with state and federal regulations involving students; cases involving students who are alleged to be in violation the Student Code of Conduct, including violations of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures and the Title IX Harassment Policy; and, bias incident reporting involving any student(s).

As part of this reorganization, Nina and Amy will offer increased education, outreach, and training to support Monmouth’s commitment to fostering a culture of mutual respect and creating a more equitable and inclusive experience for all members of our University community. This redistribution of roles and responsibilities to the Division of Student Life and the Office of Human Resources ensures that we are more fully meeting the needs of our students and employees. We are in the midst of updating the relevant policies, procedures, and webpages to reflect this reorganization, which will all be available to the campus community in the coming weeks.

Please join me in congratulating Nina and Amy on their new roles, and thanking them for leading the University’s efforts to provide a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all feel safe and welcome. As always, if you or any community member believes they are the victim of, or a witness to, an alleged bias incident or crime, you may report the incident, in person, by phone, or by email, or by submitting an anonymous online form.

Thank you in advance for your support of these transitions. As always, if you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

As our Thanksgiving break approaches, I want to take a moment to reflect on the milestones Monmouth University has achieved this year, our 90th anniversary. We’ve soared to new heights, achieving our highest rankings ever in U.S. News & World Report, and we continue to demonstrate significant progress in social mobility metrics. We welcomed our most academically outstanding incoming class, with nearly half being FLI students – that is, first-generation and/or from low-income households. This semester also marked the first deployment of scholarships from the record-breaking $21 million gift we announced in the spring.

I am grateful for the excellent work of our faculty who have been actively presenting at conferences, publishing books and in academic journals, winning new grant awards, and engaging so meaningfully with our with students—both in and out of the classroom. And, I am so proud that our students have continued to shine in so many areas, including our Debate Hawks, Model UN Team, Blue Hawk Records, MU Players, and collectively by giving back through the Big Event, to name just a few.

We can also take pride in the performance of our student-athletes, with our field hockey, and men’s and women’s soccer teams all advancing to the championships in just our second year in the Coastal Athletic Association. Our rowing team’s Freshman 8+ crew earned silver medals at the prestigious Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. And let’s not forget the thrilling upsets by our women’s and men’s basketball teams against Big East and Big 12 opponents.

Perhaps the most exciting event of the fall was the announcement of the new home of Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music.  This project will not only enrich the academic offerings at our University, it promises to elevate Monmouth’s reputation and presence on a national scale.

I hope you share my sense of pride in these accomplishments and the role each of you plays in making Monmouth a beacon of excellence and opportunity. I am immensely grateful for your dedication and contributions, which continue to drive our University forward. Please enjoy a restful break, revitalized for the final weeks of the semester, and successes still to come.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

As we approach the observance of Veterans Day, I invite each of you to join me in a collective moment of reflection and appreciation to honor those who have served in our nation’s military.

Our veterans’ willingness to serve has safeguarded the freedoms that underpin the very fabric of our society—freedoms that allow us to speak, to learn, and to grow in a space of unbound possibility. As we acknowledge their sacrifices, let us also renew our commitment to the principles they have defended with such steadfast resolve.

You are also welcome to participate in our Veterans Day observance, hosted by the Monmouth University Student Veterans Association, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10 in the Rebecca Stafford Student Center, to honor the service of our own military-affiliated students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Recalling the armistice that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we will also toll the bells 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, ringing our national anthem in thanks for the service of our veterans, and with the hope for peace.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President