Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., Named New President of Georgian Court University
LAKEWOOD, N.J., April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Georgian Court University recently announced the appointment of Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., as its new president. Dr. Marbach is currently provost and vice president for academic affairs at La Salle University in Philadelphia. When he begins work July 1, he will become the first man and first lay president in Georgian Court's 107-year history.
"Dr. Marbach is a proven leader, a respected scholar and an entrepreneurial-minded administrator with a lifelong commitment to Catholic higher education," says Georgian Court University Board of Trustees Chair Lesa Lardieri-Wright '75.
"The breadth of experience he brings to the presidency will benefit Georgian Court now and into the future," says Ms. Lardieri-Wright. "This is especially important as we continue to build a regional university that meets the needs of students and successfully addresses the challenges of higher education in today's environment."
Dr. Marbach, 53, succeeds GCU President Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D., '72, who will step down in June after 14 years at the helm. He was chosen after a national search that was led by Isaacson, Miller, a firm specializing in higher education.
"The cliché that we stand on the shoulders of giants could not be more apt in recognizing the vision and work of Sister Rosemary in preparing Georgian Court to survive and thrive as an institution of higher learning in the 21st century," says Dr. Marbach. "She has done this by expanding the enrollment universe, improving the campus infrastructure, designing new curricular offerings and entering into strategic alliances with Meridian Health and other universities and colleges. Part of my task will be to build upon and expand these initiatives."
Dr. Marbach, a Philadelphia native, graduated magna cum laude in 1983 from La Salle, which was founded in the tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers and founder of the Christian Brothers. While earning his master's degree and doctorate at Temple University, he also taught political science and served as assistant director of Temple's Center for Federalism.
From 1994 to 2010, he taught at Seton Hall University and served in various leadership roles, ultimately becoming associate dean for academic administration and outreach and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Since 2010, he has been chief academic officer at La Salle, where he expanded degree offerings to include a new doctoral program in theology; master's degrees in education, economic crime forensics, nonprofit leadership, data analytics; and a dual master's degree in nursing and public health. On the undergraduate level, he helped establish new bachelor's degrees in business systems and analytics; public health; international studies; and politics, philosophy, and economics.
During his tenure as provost, La Salle has started promoting its online degree programs nationally. The university is also mounting innovative efforts to reach post-traditional learners, ages 25 to 64. In addition, the university has plans to expand its program for Spanish-speaking students to Pennsylvania and California and has formalized enrollment agreements with schools like Bucks County Community College and Cheyney University.
"More than ever before, higher education demands that we bring new ideas and a new way of thinking to the difficulties we face," says Dr. Marbach. "It is only by working together, and by reviewing, questioning, and refining our strategies that we will meet and overcome challenges. I am excited about bringing this approach to Georgian Court University to ensure that it will continue to thrive and prosper, just as the Sisters of Mercy intended."
The Florence, N.J., resident and his wife, Paula, have three children.
Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University (www.georgian.edu) is a comprehensive, coeducational university with a strong liberal arts core and an historic, special concern for women. A forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, Georgian Court serves more than 2,200 students of all faiths and backgrounds in both undergraduate and graduate programs. The main campus is located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court also serves students at New Jersey Coastal Communiversity in Wall and through multiple online certificate and degree programs.
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SOURCE Georgian Court University
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