Corinne Benedetto named interim dean of the School for New Learning

DePaul Provost Marten denBoer announced today Dr. Corinne Benedetto will serve as interim dean of the School for New Learning, effective July 1.

Benedetto joined the School for New Learning in 1998. She currently serves as associate dean for operations and enrollment management and as associate dean of undergraduate programs. This past academic year, she also served as a member of the Office of the Provost's SNL & Adult Learning Task Force.

"As a task force member, Corinne played a key role in developing pathways to address the ongoing evolution of adult higher education and how DePaul can continue to lead in this competitive field," denBoer says. "I am grateful she will continue to contribute her expertise as interim dean for SNL."

In her current role, Benedetto oversees the development and measurement of all SNL student progress, including retention, readmission and graduation initiatives. She leads the design of SNL's undergraduate programs, as well as ongoing supervision of SNL's corporate partnerships with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Fifth Third Bank and the Fraternal Order of Police. Benedetto also has supervised the continuous improvement of online course design and delivery.

"This is a critical time in the history of SNL - one of very great challenge and immense opportunities," Benedetto says.   "Together with my colleagues, we will focus on strengthening the school's Vincentian mission by serving adult learners who are returning to college and emphasizing the opportunities adult education offers across the spectrum of diversity."

As an associate professor in SNL, Benedetto has designed and taught courses focusing on human behavior and professional ethics. She earned a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Chicago and a bachelor's degree in sociology from the Department of Sociology, History and American Studies at Rosary College. She is currently pursuing a master's in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Prior to joining DePaul, she served as an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University and Rosary College.

In October, denBoer announced the current SNL dean, Marisa Alicea, will step down at the end of the 2016-17 academic year. Alicea has served as SNL's dean since 2008 and as interim dean for one year prior. After taking a sabbatical during the 2017-18 academic year, she will return to SNL as a faculty member. Alicea will focus on scholarly work in Latino studies, gender studies and participatory action and adult education research.

The Office of the Provost expects the dean search for SNL to begin in the next academic year.