Greg Weiner, Ph.D., Named Next Provost of Assumption
Assumption has announced that Greg Weiner, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, has been named the next provost of the institution, effective the next academic year. Prof. Weiner’s appointment follows the announcement that current Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Louise Carroll Keeley, Ph.D., will retire at the end of the current 2018-19 academic year.
Prof. Weiner is a nationally recognized scholar who is widely respected by his peers in the realm of American politics. He is the author of two books published by the University Press of Kansas with two more in production, and has penned numerous articles for scholarly journals. His columns are regularly featured on the editorial pages of prestigious newspapers including The New York Times and The Washington Post. This past year, Prof. Weiner was instrumental in the establishment of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Center on Scholarship and Statesmanship, by securing significant grants and recruiting an advisory board ranging from a former U.S. Senator to a sitting federal appellate judge to nationally syndicated journalist George Will.
“Prof. Weiner is a relentless advocate for both the mission of the institution as well as the faculty members who bring it to life,” said President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. “Through his several years as a member of the faculty at Assumption with a number of formidable academic accomplishments, he has earned the respect of his colleagues. His dedication to fairness and sensitivity for both faculty and academic concerns will allow him to excel in this new position as the College looks forward to implementing several new exciting endeavors in the coming years.”
“It will be a privilege and responsibility to help lead a devoted faculty at an institution devoted to the Catholic intellectual tradition,” said Professor Weiner. “I am grateful to President Cesareo for his confidence, to Dr. Keeley for her service, and to Assumption’s faculty for their dedication.”
Prof. Weiner joined Assumption in 2011 as professor of political science. In addition to his teaching duties, he has served as an officer of the Representative Faculty Senate; chaired the Standing Committee on General Education; and participated in committees on the revision of the core curriculum and the institution’s restructuring. This year, he is serving as interim chair of the Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies. Because of his dedication to his students, Prof. Weiner was recognized with the Student Government Association’s first “Above and Beyond” award for faculty.
Prof. Weiner has a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas, Austin; a master’s degree in liberal studies from Georgetown University; and a Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University.
Provost Keeley has served at Assumption for more than 35 years. She began her career at Assumption in 1983 as an assistant professor of philosophy, achieving the rank of full professor and has since served in a number of capacities, including, chair of the philosophy department and, in 2008, associate provost. In 2014, she was appointed interim provost before her appointment as provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2015. During her tenure at the Assumption, Provost Keeley served on many academic and professional committees and taught at the College’s campus in Rome, Italy, in spring 2014. Under her leadership, Assumption introduced new academic programs such as actuarial science, criminology, cybersecurity, data analytics, health sciences, neuroscience and more.
“The community and I are grateful to Provost Keeley for her dedicated service and the countless hours she has committed to enhancing the academic profile of Assumption,” said President Cesareo. “Under her leadership, Assumption has flourished as a strong liberal arts institution known for offering a holistic education. As Provost Keeley transitions to retirement, we are confident that her work on behalf of the faculty and students will continue as she implements a number of important strategic initiatives that offer our students the finest liberal arts education.
“I am happy to have been part of a strong effort of faculty, staff and administrators who have fashioned exciting new opportunities for Assumption students,” said Provost Keeley. “The heart of our education remains the liberal arts but we have responded to the emerging challenges of new fields of study from neuroscience to cybersecurity and the development of additional programs that both embody our mission and are responsive to student demand.”