Dean Jim Narduzzi announces decision to step down as dean in 2015

May 21, 2014

Dr. James L. Narduzzi, Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond, has announced his plan to step down as dean effective July 1, 2015.

In a message to the campus community, Provost Steve Allred announced Narduzzi’s intention to step down, take a sabbatical, and then return to the SPCS faculty.

For the last 20 years, Narduzzi has provided strong leadership through periods of economic uncertainty and challenge, providing extraordinary academic outreach to the greater Richmond community.

He has led SPCS through many academic changes, completing a major reorganization of degree offerings and admission policies three years ago.

This year, he oversaw the creation of a new graduate program in nonprofit studies, a new graduate program in public history (coming this summer) and a new major and certificate in information security. All were approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees last month, a testament to the Board’s faith in SPCS and its leadership.

Most recently, Narduzzi shepherded the signing of new articulation agreements between the University of Richmond and J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, John Tyler Community College and Richard Bland College, expanding the School’s academic outreach in the Richmond community.

Narduzzi recently worked with SPCS faculty to create a new faculty governance document. Their many discussions led to a clearer understanding of shared governance within SPCS, and the Board of Trustees approved the resulting changes to the Faculty Handbook at their meeting in April.

With his typical good nature and optimistic outlook, Narduzzi has accomplished great things for the now 51-year old School of Professional and Continuing Studies and its students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The new provost will appoint a search committee and launch a search for Narduzzi’s successor late this summer, with the goal of announcing the appointment of a new SPCS dean late next spring.

Following his year-long sabbatical, Narduzzi plans to return to the school as a member of the SPCS faculty.