Fairfield University’s Board of Trustees recently extended President Mark R. Nemec’s contract through the summer of 2027.
The board noted Nemec’s contributions during his tenure, such as growth of academic programs and campus improvements. Nemec joined the university as president in 2017.
Board Chairman Frank J. Carroll III, in a letter to the university community, said undergraduate applications are at the highest level in the university’s history.
Nemec also led the university’s largest-ever capital campaign, raising $218 million, surpassing an original goal of $160 million. Nemec has been implementing the “Fairfield 2020: The Way Forward” strategic plan. Improvements under the plan have included the completion in 2019 of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business facility, new residential facilities with the Barnyard Manor townhouses and 42 Langguth Hall, and a new 3,500-seat arena and convocation center, slated to open in 2022, Carroll noted.
Nemec also commissioned the Presidential Working Group on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, with a goal of developing partnership and recruitment initiatives with area high schools and expanding financial aid to make attendance more affordable to low-income families.
*****
Liberty Bank hires new SVP, Digital Strategy
Liberty Bank recently hired Joe Dugan to serve as its new senior vice president, digital strategy.
According to David W. Glidden, president and CEO of the Middletown-based bank, Dugan has three decades of experience and is the bank’s latest hire to help guide its ongoing digital transformation.
“Joe brings the right mix of leadership, strategic acumen and project execution that will help us successfully enhance our digital banking solutions so they are key differentiators in the market,” Glidden said in an announcement. “He is a valuable teammate and timely hire as we strive to build the community bank of the future.”
Dugan previously worked at Five Star Bank in Rochester, New York, where he handled digital banking, technology services and innovation, product and marketing, and retail banking. While at Five Star, Dugan helped launch a new digital banking solution that resulted in significant increase in mobile users and digital banking customers.
*****
Sacred Heart names new provost
Robin Cautin, PHOTO | Courtesy Tracy Deer-Mirek
Sacred Heart University announced recently that Robin Cautin will be the next provost of the Fairfield-based institution.
Cautin had served as acting provost since the beginning of May. Before that, she was dean of the College of Arts & Sciences for seven years. Cautin was picked following a nationwide search.
As provost, Cautin will serve as the university’s chief academic officer. After the president, the provost is the senior member of the university’s executive leadership team and serves as strategist, advocate, manager and spokesperson for academics.
In her prior role as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Cautin expanded the college by adding new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, hiring faculty and establishing new schools.
