New Vice President of Academic Affairs Named at Alverno College

Alverno College President Andrea Lee, IHM, has appointed Joseph Foy, Ph.D., vice
president for Academic Affairs. Foy, who is currently dean of the College of
Arts, Sciences and Letters at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis., begins
his appointment April 15.

“Joe brings an array of impressive experience to Alverno, including a sustained
interest in excellent teaching, a career-long commitment to transformational
education and a wonderfully collaborative way of working,” Lee said. “His keen
appreciation for the role of faculty development in teaching excellence and for
the centrality of our students in our work as a Catholic, Franciscan college is
evident.”

At Alverno, Foy will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, working to refine and implement its strategic plan, which is aimed at ambitious enrollment growth in market-driven programs that meet the workforce needs of southeastern Wisconsin. Additionally, Foy will collaborate with the college’s leadership team and faculty, who are deeply committed to experiential learning, collaborative teaching and educating a highly diverse student body of virtually every demographic. Alverno is Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution.

As dean at Marian since 2018, Foy has overseen the academic, budget and personnel management responsibilities for five academic departments and more than 20 undergraduate, graduate and licensure programs. Reporting directly to the vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, Foy has been instrumental in implementing Marian’s strategic plan; identifying and supporting the development of new academic programs; devising student success initiatives; and facilitating collaboration with community and other higher education partners.

Before serving as dean at Marian, Foy worked in the University of Wisconsin System (now the University of Wisconsin Extended Campus) at two-year and four-year campuses, most recently as the system’s associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. He also served a six-month appointment as the system’s interim associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, as well as served as associate campus dean, an academic department chair, a faculty senator and governance leader, and an assessment coordinator.

Originally from Montana, Foy earned his doctorate in American Government and Comparative Politics and his Master of Arts in Comparative Politics and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame. His Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations is from Carroll College in Helena, Mont. Foy has published and presented widely in his areas of scholarly interest.

About Alverno College

Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy and business are open to women and men.

A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For the past two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.

Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.