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Dr. Patricia Mosto will retire as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Sciences (CLAES) on June 30, 2016, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs DonnaJean A. Fredeen announced on June 15.

Mosto joined ������ý���� in the summer of 2009 after serving as interim associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and professor of biology at Rowan University.

“Since joining us, she has served with distinction, leading the College through the challenging academic realities of higher education in the 21st century,” Freeden said, adding that Mosto has been “the driving force for continuous improvement and change within CLAES.”

Mosto, who created the first CLAES specific strategic plan, has worked tirelessly to support student and faculty achievement. Early on, she focused on three main areas – internships, student research and study abroad. Under her leadership, all of those areas grew tremendously and added significant value to the future career success of ������ý���� students, Freeden said.

Freeden also praised Mosto as “an innovative and global thinker.” As dean, she presided over the creation of ������ý����’s first graduate program in the College and the creation of new undergraduate programs in criminal justice, health sciences and organizational psychology. She supported the expansion of ������ý����’s global studies programs and introduced the University’s novel approach to the cross-cutting sustainability studies program. She has a passion for student success shown by the creation of the GLASS and GLASS STEM programs for undeclared students.

Mosto has served in several roles off campus as well as an ambassador for ������ý����. She is as an active member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, serving as chair of multiple review teams. She continues her writing and recently published A Toolkit for Deans with co-author Diane Dorland. In 2013, Mosto was elected to the Board of Directors of the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences, and received the 2014 Women of Achievement Award from the Gloucester County Commission for Women and the American Association of University Women in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the profession.

“On a personal note, Mosto has been a trusted colleague and welcomed advisor, and I appreciate and respect her wisdom and advice,” Freeden said. “I wish her well as she prepares to spend more time with the joys of her life, her lovely grandchildren.”