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Monmouth University Names New Provost

Laura J. Moriarty, a prominent criminal justice scholar with long experience leading academic programs, has been named provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Monmouth University, effective September 2, President Paul R. Brown announced Thursday.

Dr. Moriarty joins Monmouth University from her post as a tenured professor and vice provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a public research university serving more than 30,000 students. She will succeed Dr. Thomas Pearson, who is stepping down on August 29 after 22 years in the position.

“I am thrilled to accept the position of provost at Monmouth University,” Moriarty said. “I am eager to implement President Brown’s vision for academic excellence with the help of the extraordinary talent that exists across so many areas of the campus community.”

As Monmouth’s chief academic officer, Moriarty will have broad responsibility for leading the university’s academic life across eight schools and five centers of distinction.

“Dr. Moriarty brings tremendous executive leadership experience as a vice provost at VCU,” President Brown said. “I have every confidence that she will hit the ground running and help lead Monmouth University to its next levels of success.”

Moriarty has more than 25 years of higher education experience, with 16 years of progressive administrative responsibility, holding the positions of department chair/director, assistant/associate dean, associate vice provost, and vice provost. Her recent experience at VCU includes participating in the evaluation and implementation of a university-wide strategic plan, “Quest for Distinction.” Under Brown’s leadership, Monmouth University is underway in its own strategic planning process, with final stages expected to be completed in October.

At VCU Moriarty oversaw the creation, implementation, and approval of entrepreneurial programs centered on professional development that brought new revenue streams to the university. “The provost must increase private support and support from local, state, and federal sources through increased grant and contract activity,” Moriarty said.

“There are ample opportunities for Monmouth University to create niche programs that increase revenue and stature,” she said.

A respected academic leader in the field of criminal justice with a focus on victim’s issues, Moriarty is the author/co-author, editor/co-editor of eight scholarly books and numerous refereed academic journal articles. She is the past president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), and a 2013 recipient of the ACJS Founders Award for outstanding contributions to criminal justice education.

She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Louisiana State University, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

Moriarty’s appointment follows a comprehensive national search drawing nearly 70 highly qualified applicants reviewed by a seven-member advisory panel including faculty members and deans across a number of schools and departments.

“Three finalists for the position interviewed on campus, including open meetings with faculty and staff,” Brown said.

“Members of the advisory committee combed through hundreds of comments and spoke with colleagues to garner comprehensive feedback on the finalists,” Brown said. “At the end of the process, faculty and staff clearly communicated their choice of Dr. Moriarty for the position of provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.”