Aug. 7, 2012
John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America, has appointed Stephen Schneck as acting dean of the National Catholic School of Social Service, effective Aug. 1 and until the appointment of a permanent dean.
Schneck, director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies (IPR) and associate professor of politics, will continue to direct IPR while serving as acting dean of NCSSS. Schneck joined the politics faculty as an assistant professor in 1984. James Zabora, who had served as dean of NCSSS since 2002, stepped down from the position effective July 31. Patricia McMullen, dean of the School of Nursing, heads a search committee that expects to recommend a candidate for appointment by the President during the upcoming academic year.
"Dr. Schneck is a highly experienced administrator and accomplished social science researcher who chaired the Department of Politics for nine years and has led IPR since 2007," says Provost James Brennan. "He has collaborated with colleagues in NCSSS and I know him to have enormous regard for the work of that school and its faculty. In addition, a hallmark of Dr. Schneck's leadership of IPR has been his substantive and impressive work to promote interdisciplinarity, which will be a high priority for NCSSS and, indeed, for the entire University in the years to come."