Dr. Mary C. Pearl to Become Macaulay Honors College’s First Provost and Senior Associate Dean
NEW YORK, NY – Macaulay Honors College at The City University of New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary C. Pearl, Ph.D. as its first Provost and Senior Associate Dean, effective March 3, 2014. Dr. Pearl, also a Professor of Biology at Brooklyn College, has been the Associate Dean and Chief Academic Officer at
Macaulay Honors College since July 2012.
A conservationist, wildlife biologist and educator, Dr. Pearl served as the first Dean and Administrative Vice President of Stony Brook University Southampton, where she helped the university implement green majors and prepare students for environmentally sustainable careers. Prior to that, Dr. Pearl had a 15-year tenure as President of Wildlife Trust, a global organization dedicated to innovative conservation science. Dr. Pearl also served as Chief Executive Officer of The Garrison Institute, an organization that promotes evidence-based contemplative and transformational approaches to social and environmental change and education. Dr. Pearl has also been an adjunct Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University’s Center for Environment, Economy, and Society.
“Dr. Pearl is an experienced educator with a strong track record of building innovative academic programs,” said Dean Ann Kirschner. “Now as Provost, she will continue to advance our commitment to advisement, interdisciplinary studies, independent research, and the integration of global challenges into our curriculum through the Macaulay Opportunities Fund.”
Academic Leadership
As Provost and Senior Associate Dean at Macaulay Honors College, Dr. Pearl will direct an integrated and expanded Academic Affairs division that will include: academic program oversight and curriculum development; student affairs, advisement and leadership development; teaching and learning; faculty recruitment; enrollment management; research and evaluation; scholarships, financial aid and experiential learning; information technology; and intercollege coordination.
Dr. Pearl will shepherd a number of innovative projects, many of which have already begun to shape a new direction for Macaulay’s academic development. These include initiatives such as Science Forward – a new set of college courses and activities designed to engage more students in science learning; a diversity task force and a high school bridge program to address recruitment, retention and alumni affairs issues among under-represented minority students; and the building of new cross-campus concentration in urban ethnobotany with Lehman College and the New York Botanical Garden, the first such academic program of its kind anywhere. In addition, Dr. Pearl will continue to work on the expansion of the Macaulay New Media Lab with Hostos Community College and Lehman College, as the springboard of a major job incubator in new media in New York City.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to advance Macaulay’s growth and success,” said Dr. Pearl. “I am looking forward to envisioning and implementing new collaborations for innovative academic programs that enhance our educational mission.”
Dr. Pearl received her undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Yale University and holds an honorary doctorate from Marist College.
About Macaulay Honors College
Macaulay Honors College at The City University of New York offers exceptional students a uniquely personalized education with access to the vast resources of the nation’s largest urban university and New York City itself. Selected for their top high school records and leadership potential, Macaulay students receive a full-tuition scholarship, a laptop and technology support, and a $7,500 Opportunities Fund to pursue global learning and service opportunities. A Cultural Passport provides access to museums, libraries, and other treasures around New York City. Macaulay students enroll in one of eight CUNY senior colleges (Baruch, Brooklyn, City, Hunter, John Jay, Lehman, Queens and Staten Island). For more information, see macaulay.cuny.edu.